Aleppo Under Fire: The Ruins of Armenian Neighborhoods

ALEPPO, Syria (A.W.)—After enduring water shortage and blackouts last month, Syrian Armenians are once again facing obliteration. In the days leading up to the June 3 Syrian presidential elections, the Syrian opposition intensified its offensive on the regime-held territories.

According to sources in Aleppo, since June 1, more than 60 mortar bombs have landed in the predominantly Armenian neighborhoods of Nor Kyough (Meedan) and Suleimanieh.

Since the escalation of the attacks on May 26, several Armenians have been killed. Among the casualties are Avedis Kebabjian and Rahel Tavitian. The latest registered casualty is Antranig Kantarjian. His body was found in the rubble on June 2.

On May 31, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) lost one of its own: Unger Misak Barkevi Boshgezenian. Unger Boshgezenian’s memorial was held on June 1at the St. Asdvadzadzin Church in Aleppo.

Several Armenians have also sustained injuries. They include Stepan Aroushian, Zareh Ghazarian, Zareh Kaekejian, Manoug Ghazelian, Hovsep Aramian, and Harout Iskenian. They have since received adequate treatment, and their condition is stable.

The opposition’s mortar bombs not only caused injuries and deaths, but also damaged and destroyed the infrastructure of the Syrian-Armenian properties in Aleppo. Numerous homes, workshops, schools, churches, and national establishments were targeted in the most recent wave of attacks.

Last month, for several weeks, water and electricity were cut off in Aleppo. Millions of civilians, including the 25,000 Armenians of Aleppo, were left scrambling to find drinking water. “We acquired some water from the Quayk River, boiled it and drank it,” said Hagop from Aleppo. “Some of us had no other alternative.”

“Due to the heavy bombardment in the Nor Kyough neighborhood, our beloved Karen Jeppe now has a new entrance,” said a Syrian-Armenian activist from Aleppo.