PACE members condemn Kessab attacks as Turkey denies involvement

PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) condemned violence against Kessab, the north-western Syrian town predominantly populated by Armenians, Tert.am reported.

The statement, initiated by the PACE Armenian delegation reads, “the undersigned members of the Parliamentary Assembly express their grave concern over the recent escalation of the situation in North-Western Syria, around the ancient town of Kesab predominantly populated by Armenians. The recent attacks were carried out by Al-Qaeda affiliated terrorist groups across the border from the territory of Turkey. The brutal actions, which targeted largely the civilian population, resulted in forced displacement of local population. The extremist groups have desecrated Kesab’s Armenian churches and caused significant damage to property of inhabitants. This is a continuing humanitarian crisis. Bearing in mind an urgent need for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities, including Armenians in conditions of armed conflict in Syria, we strongly condemn and consider unacceptable such use of force against civilian population, regardless of their ethnic and religious identity.

We strongly urge the Turkish authorities to take immediate measures to prevent further use of its territory by extremist groups and to investigate reports on Turkish assistance to terrorist groups.

The international community should undertake resolute efforts to ensure the safety and security of refugees, including the Armenians, facilitate conditions for their early, safe and dignified return to their places of residence and provide indispensable humanitarian assistance to address their urgent needs.”

The statement was signed by 22 members of PACE from Armenia, Spain, Britain, The Netherlands, Moldova, San Marino, France, Ireland, Portugal, The Czech Republic, Sweden, Russia, Finland, Greece, Germany.

Also, according to Tert.am., the Chairman of the CoE Committee of Ministers, Austria Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, noted that remarks by Armenian MP Naira Zohrabyan on Kessab events must be studied.

“Irrefutable facts show that terrorist groups that crossed the Turkish border attacked Kessab, and the Armenian population had to be evacuated. The terrorists desecrated the Armenian churches and looted Armenian houses. To be saved from genocide, the Kessab Armenians were evacuated. Video footage shows terrorists crossing Turkey’s border into Syria’s Kessab, and Turkish servicemen are among the terrorists. So Turkish officials’ claims they are uninformed of the events are nothing but manifestations of Turkism.

Any force against civilians irrespective of their ethnicity or religion must be denounced; PACE must respond to the event in Kessab and demand Turkey’s clear explanations,” the Armenian MP stressed.

Meanwhile, Turkey continues denying involvement in the Kessab attacks, with the country’s foreign ministry official labeling the statement of Armenia’s permanent representative to OSCE, ambassador Arman Kirakosyan as “shameful slander.” On March 27, the ambassador stated that Al-Qaeda militants used Turkey’s territory as a springboard for the Kessab attack, Armenia Today said.