Armenian Genocide memorial severely damaged in Syria (video)

 November 12, 2012 - 13:41 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian Genocide Martyrs Memorial Church, also known as the Holy Martyrs Armenian Church, in Deir ez-Zor, Syria, has been severely damaged as a result of shelling, as revealed by video footage taken by locals and shared on YouTube, The Armenian Weekly reported.

The lower level of the museum and memorial, where the remains of victims of the Armenian Genocide are kept, seems to be in ruins as well. It is unclear from the footage whether they were removed prior to the attacks.

Deir ez-Zor has witnessed clashes between the rebels and the Syrian Army since the beginning of the armed conflict in the country. The few Armenian families living in the city left months ago.

Hundreds of thousands of Armenian deportees were massacred in Deir ez-Zor in the summer of 1916.

The memorial was consecrated in 1991.

His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, was informed about the details of the incident during a phone conversation with Aleppo National Primacy. Admitting that the Memorial was not the target of shelling His Holiness said stated restoration will be possible only after security is ensured in Deir ez-Zor.