Assad’s downfall detrimental to Syria’s Armenians – expert

PanARMENIAN.Net - Bashar al-Assad’d downfall may prove detrimental to Armenian community of Syria, according to the director of the Oriental Studies Institute at the Armenian National Academy of Sciences.

As professor Ruben Safrastyan told a news conference in Yerevan, “Armenian community was perfectly integrated into Syria’s society, Assad’s regime securing their safety and prosperity. The downfall of current leader will jeopardize Syria’s Armenians, with pro-Islamic forces fighting against the regime known for their intolerance to Christians and specifically, Armenians.”

The expert was also concerned over the strengthening of Ankara’s regional presence, which might increase further were pro-Islamic forces to come to power.

Safrastyan noted the possibility for Syria’s Armenians immigrating to their historic homeland as undesirable in view of the country’s modest resources. “Still, Armenia must be ready for it,” he added.