DAMASCUS. – None of the conflicting sides has any claims towards the Armenians as ethnic or religious minority, Armenian community representative in Damascus Nazaret Cherechian told Armenian News-NEWS.am. According to him, the situation is more or less steady in Damascus. The general situation in the state undoubtedly impacts on the Armenians, especially in material and security spheres. 

“There were clashes between the opposition and authorities powers in the Armenian district in Aleppo some days ago, but no Armenian suffered. There was a case when a young Armenian was kidnapped and after paying the demanded bail he was released. Armenians serving in the Syrian army, however, claimed victims,” he said adding the Armenian community in general tries to stay neutral.

Asked to make any predictions, Cherechian said that it is simply not possible to do at the moment. Both sides are decisive to go till the end, while the nation would desire that the bloodshed was over. Regarding the Armenians leaving Syria, the community representative said that the Armenians are yet unwilling to leave Syria where they have long been resided.