10/10/2019 17:16
Turkish troops will unlikely head to Syrian government-controlled Qamishli
Turkey’s military offensive against Syria has received different assessments by the international community.
Today Armenia’s Foreign Ministry released a statement condemning “military invasion by Turkey in north-east Syria, which would lead to deterioration of regional security, losses among civilians, mass displacement and eventually to a new humanitarian crisis.”
The issue was also discussed at the cabinet sitting to decide the possibility of providing assistance to the local Armenian population.
Head of the Armenia’s MFA’s Middle East and Africa department Armen Melkonyan told RFE/RL that the Armenians are mainly focused in Qamishli where currently he said 400-420 Armenian families are living, about 3,000 Armenians.
He said Qamishli was shelled yesterday once but the major part of the town is under the control of the Syrian governmental forces. “Thus I do not think the Turkey’s intrusion will reach till the Syrian government-controlled regions,” the diplomat said.
His Holiness Catholicos of Great House of Cilicia Aram I had a phone conversation with the vicar of Qamishli who said some families are evacuating with their own decision but the Armenians in Qamishli are safe.
The clergy said in his opinion Turkish troops will not head to Qamishli taking into consideration the presence of the Syrian governmental forces there.
“Qamishli is safe from all the sides. The schools are closed for additional security measures. The normal life continues here,” he said.