YEREVAN. – On the threshold of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, Turkey continues its anti-Armenian policy whose last manifestation is the operations, by the terrorist groups instigated by Turkey, on the settlements near the Turkish-Syrian border. 

The ARF Dashnaktsutyun Party Nikol Aghbalyan Student Union and the ARF Youth Union statement reads the aforesaid.

“Turkey’s blow struck against [Syria’s predominantly Armenian-populated town of] Kessab Armenians again takes place right before the eyes of the international community. An international community which, by its passive posture and connivance, encourages such crimes by Turkey and its genocidal policy against the Armenians.   

“We urge the United Nations [UN] to carry out its real mission, to condemn and prevent Turkey’s covert aggression, and launch measures toward the Kessab residents’ return to their permanent place of residence,” the statement also reads, in particular.

In addition, the ARF youth informed that they will stage a respective protest on Thursday, and in front of the UN Office in Armenia.

In the early morning on March 21, armed militants from the Jabhat al-Nusra Islamic terrorist group infiltrated into northern Syria’s Latakia Governorate, which is predominantly inhabited by Armenians and Alawites. Two large groups of terrorists had launched the attack from Turkey. Numerous displaced Kessab Armenians are currently sheltered in Latakia city. On March 23, Turkish fighter planes downed a Syrian military aircraft that was conducting a mission against the Islamic terrorists in Kessab. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had promised Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia of the Armenian Apostolic Church to do everything possible to protect the Armenians in Kessab.