We are receiving conflicting information from Syria. On the one hand, there is optimistic news about the Syrian government troops near Kessab oppressing the so-called rebels, who bearing heavy losses are retreating. Alarming rumors are that after the invasion by the gangs, there were Armenians left in Kessab and the surrounding villages, whom pro-Turkish bandits had kidnapped. Both inspiring and disturbing information from independent and disinterested sources do not receive a confirmation.
At the same time a clear disinformation is disseminated. There appeared photos on the internet, in which some people are killed and beheaded, and anonymous sources followed by obvious intentions were associating these pictures with Kessab cases presenting with victims as Armenians. All that again probably intentionally was introduced into Save Kessab promotional campaign going on in social networks. Many (not knowing that it was a fabrication) were disseminating, probably followed by the best of intentions, to show how the fighters intruding Kessab ill-treated Armenians.
Where are the roots of this fraud? There are different hypothesis. Personally, I assume that the rumors are disseminated by the pro-Turkish circles, Chechen or perhaps Azeri advocates associated with the fighters with a specific aim to discourage the Armenians. In fact, the rendered images and Syrian people’s real behavior is diametrically opposite, the latter heroically resisted the bandits and survived. Recently, our MPs meeting with Kessab people have heard many stories of the heroic struggle in Latakia.
However, we should say that the disinformation about “the next massacres” very often falls into a “fertile soil”. In many corners of the world, first of all in Armenia, there are numerous Armenians who enjoy suffering, complaining and protesting. And these fabricated stories cause them to utter a bitter groan and make philosophical conclusions about the bad luck of the Armenian and “the hail hits the spot that it hit before”. Some even with regard to Kessab events began to pronounce the word “genocide”.
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What remains to Save Kessab, the state’s support of our compatriots should surely be political, advocating and diplomatic, whereas our, ordinary citizens’ support should be moral and material. The world’s and Armenia’s wealthy Armenians can relieve the care of our countrymen finding shelter in Latakia and other Syrian cities in the status of refugees. And if, God grant, Kessab is liberated, it is obvious that people’s homes and farms would be plundered and destroyed, and material assistance by Armenians will be also necessary here.
All of these are more important than, on the one hand, fruitless arrogance, and on the other hand, empty heart-breaking weeping about the bitter destiny of Armenians.
ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
