24 -year-old Pierre Afaryan was born in Kessab city, Syria, years later he moved to Damascus, and for the last four years he was living and studying in Yerevan, and from time to time was visiting Syria. Now his uncles reside in Kessab, who because of known events moved to Latakia like many other Armenians. As conveyed by Pierre Afaryan, only 3 elderly: 2 men (94 and 86 years old) and 1 woman (73-year old) were left in Kessab who could not escape, but yesterday, on March 31, they managed to join their families in Latakia. In Latakia, the Syrian Red Cross and Red Crescent, the church and a number of Armenian organizations stretch a support hand to Kessab Armenians finding a shelter in Latakia. “There are no victims, Kessab Armenians did not give victims, because they managed to move women and children quickly, and send them to more rear positions, by crossing the sea and reaching Latakia, but as for those Armenian fighters left there, who were defending Kessab standing side-by-side with the Syrian army, they stayed there until the second and some until the third day. But, most of them did not stay on the third day, because the attack was so strong that the local defense forces were unable to resist the Turkish army planned and initiated attack, which was attended by more than 8000 fighters, according to their media sources.” He said that many people think that Kessab in only one town, but in reality, it is a region consisting of 12 Armenian villages located 1-2 kilometers far from each other, the center of which is Kessab. Pierre Afaryan said that one of his friends is serving in the Syrian army and is currently in Kessab city, and has conveyed him that the Syrian army wants to register a progress trying to minimize the damage caused to the houses. “They are trying to besiege the terrorists primarily in the forest and mountainous areas to make it easier to attack, and that Kessab villages and towns come out of this confrontation with minimal loss, certainly, it is impossible without losses.” As said by Pierre Afaryan, the Turks looted the Armenian villages, but not the core Kessab and the videos on the internet prove that only minor damages were caused to the houses, and in his opinion, the Turkish terrorists are using it just for promotion. However, he also does not rule out Kessab looting. “During the first three days of the attack, these videos were spread from Kessab center, afterwards we did not see them. It is possible that they have again entered Kessab, that is, the first three days they tried to maintain everything to show that they are not terrorists but liberators.” Syrian-Armenian young man believes that in the case of Kessab, the initiatives of Kessab Armenians to return Armenia are unnecessary because he considers that it makes no sense to leave the property and historical land there. “To come here, there are no big opportunities to accept them, in other words, a man who had years of work and accrued economy comes here and nothing. How must this man be psychologically accommodated with the new environment? How should he continue? His heart and soul will remain in Kessab. No, he’s better stay there and fight for their property for one day, in other words, let’s not quit it, because they just attacked. If we quit, a day will come that they will attack us here too, so should we escape from here and leave for Russia. No, time has come today that Armenian should not escape, genocide must not be repeated.” Pierre Afaryan noted that currently the important strategic areas are in the hands of the Syrian army, and soon Kessab Armenians will be able to return to their residence. Photo from Pierre Afaryan’s Facebook page.
Ami CHICHAKYAN