Mayor of Turkish city of Diyarbakir Osman Baydemir called on Armenians to return to the abandoned in early 20th century lands of Eastern Anatolia (Western Armenia).

“We are ready to accept the heirs of Armenians, who abandoned this territory,” Mayor told Yerkir Union for the repatriation and the reinsertion representatives, who went to the city to participate in a conference. Baydemir added that “Armenians will enjoy equal with Kurds rights.”

“Armenians left this territory after 1914 slaughter. So far we have been totally isolated, and as a result were impoverished.”

NGO representatives in turn expressed willingness to hold social-cultural programs jointly with local authorities.

During the Armenian slaughter in early 20th century, Kurdish gangs greatly assisted the Young Turks authority, which held ethnic purges, particularly towards Armenians. As a result of ethnic purges, Kurdish population gradually moved to the territories of Western Armenia, presently Eastern Anatolia.

According to 1914 data, in the Ottoman Empire Armenian population alone had 2538 churches, 451 monasteries, and 2000 schools.

Today they can be counted on the fingers of one hand.