Armenian church burnt in Aleppo
30.10.2012,
15:53
Armenian Saint Gevorg church was burnt in Nor Giugh district of Syrian Aleppo, Yerkir-Media TV channel reported referring to the press secretary of Diocese of Beri of Armenian Apostolic Church Zhirayr Reisyan.
YEREVAN, October 30. /ARKA/. Armenian Saint Gevorg church was burnt in Nor Giugh district of Syrian Aleppo, Yerkir-Media TV channel reported referring to the press secretary of Diocese of Beri of Armenian Apostolic Church Zhirayr Reisyan.
The fire damaged also the National Mesropyan Lyceum and an adjoining kindergarten.
Syrian Armenian community is among most powerful ones, and there were about 100,000 Armenians living in Syria until very recently. The Armenian community plays a substantial role in Syria’s social, political and cultural life. Most of the Syrian Armenians live in Aleppo (more than 60,000 people), Damascus, Latakia and other cities. Because of the aggravation of the political and military situation in the country Armenians started leaving for the historical homeland. More than 30 Armenians have been killed in the armed conflict so far.
The civil war broke out in Syria in March 2011. Since then, according to the UNO, 17,000 people have been killed (according to Syrian authorities, about 8,000 killed). Western and some Arabic countries want Assad to leave to stop the violence, whereas Russia and China fear outside interference may provoke expansion of the conflict. The Syrian authorities, in their turn, claim the resistance comes from well-armed militants supported from outside. N.V. –0—
