For the most part, the representatives of the Armenian community of Aleppo positively assess the involvement of Russia’s air forces in the military operations taking place in Syria.

Editor of Aleppo’s Gandzasar Weekly Zarmig Boghigian told “Azatutyun” that though the Armenians of Aleppo haven’t issued a political statement, they hope the involvement of Russia’s air forces puts an end to the four-year war in Syria.

“We positively assess all the steps that will help maintain Syria’s territorial integrity. For us, the important thing is to see the end of this crisis and this terrorist movement. As a community, the Armenian community is thinking about getting out of this crisis with as few damages as possible and defending the community,” said Boghigian.

According to the Armenians of Aleppo, there have been fewer bombings and fewer highly populated districts targeted over the past couple of weeks.

“When we sit together with our families, or when we watch the news on television, that instills hope that everything seems to be getting better. The Russian forces didn’t enter Aleppo, but we have been hearing news about their attack on Aleppo in the next couple of days,” Maida Bakkalian told “Azatutyun” during a phone conversation.

The latest events taking place in Aleppo are also the main topic of discussions for the Syrian-Armenians working at the Vernisazh market in Yerevan. Vazgen Der-Tavitian, who sells antique items, says he left his properties and came to Armenia with only a shirt when his house was bombed several times in Aleppo.

“There were Islamic soldiers right in the back of our house. I renovated my house four times,” said Der-Tavitian.

He finds out about his hometown from his brothers. Vazgen Der-Tavitian isn’t certain that Russia can help put an end to the war. “The Russian forces are advancing, and the Syrian army is also advancing, but we don’t know what this will lead to. It might be worse. We might be heading towards a world war. We don’t know,” said Der-Tavitian.

The seller mentieond that though some churches and schools remain standing, the Armenian community has “perished”.

Rug seller Nazareth Aloian, who works next to Der-Tavitian and lost his home and stores in Aleppo, also shares the view that his neighbors don’t want to return to Syria and that they have decided to settle in Armenia and build new homes. “I’ll finally buy a house this week. During the Syrian Easter celebration in January, I’ll go and sell whatever I can. I have to sell my car. I’ll sell everything and settle here,” said Aloian.