Kessab population in danger, partially evacuated to Latakia: reportDecember 24, 2014 - 16:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The residents of the Armenian-populated Syrian town of Kessab are once again finding themselves in danger. The town, that just started reviving after the spring 2014’s tragic events, was under the threat of shelling 2 days ago, after the rocket strike on Leghi Jur checkpoint nearby, according to Yerakouyn.com. The majority of the Kessab population was reevaluated to Latakia. Also, groups of armed militants were noted at the border with Syria, military sources report. Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, Kessab had, for a while evaded major battles in the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had increased in recently years with the city serving as safe haven for those fleeing from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo. On March 21, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on Kessab civilians, forcing them to flee neighboring Latakia and Bassit. Hundreds of Kessab Armenians found refuge in Latakia. The 3-year civil war in Syria took the lives of over 170,000 and displaced around 9 million. Before the war, Syria was home to around 80,000 Armenians. At present, 10,000 left for Armenia and 5,000 for Lebanon. Related links: Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |