On Mar, 21, terrorist groups from Turkey invaded Kessab and the surrounding areas, robbed and destroyed the Armenian Church of Kessab, as well as robbed homes and deported nearly 700 Armenian families, which took shelter in the Armenian Church of Latakia. After the years 1909 and 1915, this is the third time that the Armenians of Kessab are being deported and deprived as a result of actions organized or provoked by Turkey.

President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made a statement at the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, condemned the events and drew the international community’s attention to the events taking place in Kessab, after which the RA Ministry of Diaspora immediately addressed Diaspora Armenians to support the devastated Armenians of Kessab and raise their voices of protest in defense of our compatriots in danger.

Armenian religious structures and organizations extended a helping hand to our compatriots in dire conditions. They are strictly condemning the crime organized by Turkey and extremist Islamists against the Armenians of Kessab, and the RA Ministry of Diaspora is continuing its efforts in this direction.

Armenia’s diplomatic representations are raising the issue within international organizations with the demand to condemn and put an end to the tragedy and are working on providing assistance to the Armenians of Kessab.

The ministry is constantly in contact with the mayor of Kessab and RA Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Syrian Arab Republic Arshak Poladyan, as well as Diaspora Armenian structures and organizations.