Turkey and the affiliated Syrian National Army (SNA) continue its air and ground attacks against North and East Syria. The attacks against the democratic nation structure, which is one of the targets of special war practices, cause reactions from other identities and beliefs in the Autonomous Administration. 

 

Heseke Armenian Community Assembly Co-chair Imad Teteryan spoke about the attacks. Pointing out that different beliefs and identities live together in North and East Syria, Imad Teteryan said, "We are directly experiencing the benefits of being a democratic nation. However, the fall of Assad regime and the arrival of HTS has created fear amoung our peoples of different beliefs. Armenian, Christian, Assyrian peoples did not stay in Kalamun (El Qalamun), which is under the control of HTS. In other areas, attacks continue, especially against Alawites. We are witnessing these attacks. Here, as Armenian, Assyrian and Assyrian peoples, we are ready and willing to make our own defence. However, there is still a fear. Although the HTS groups coming here call themselves ‘the power of free Syria’, we know that they are groups that broke away from ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra. In Damascus, we have witnessed them calling on sections of the population in other regions to convert to Islam and join ISIS." 

 

Stating that the Armenian people strongly participated in the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Imad Teteryan stressed that the reason is the democratic nation system built by the SDF. Imad Teteryan stated that since the Rojava Revolution, Armenians and people of different identities and beliefs have been living their cultures and beliefs freely in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, and that they can celebrate everything from special days to religious days freely and comfortably. 

 

'SDF MUST BE SUPPORTED FOR DEMOCRACY'

 

Pointing out that a state that calls itself ‘democratic’ must include all peoples, Imad Teteryan said, "Any state that claims this must support the SDF here. Because SDF is defending all peoples here. We can move much more easily within the democratic nation. As Armenians, we can both live our culture and speak and learn our language freely. We have institutions and organizations. For example, Armenian Women's organizations were opened in Qamishlo, Heseke, Derik, Dirbesiye, Till Tamir. With these, the Armenian people realised that they can easily exist here with their own culture and language. We hope that a centralised Syrian government based on only one religion will not be established. Our call to other states is that if they want different colours and identitites to live together, they must support SDF. If HTS wants to see itself as a power in Syria today, it must come together with SDF in a solution-oriented way. Everyone here wants to see a free and new Syria."

 

Drawing attention to the attacks against the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Imad Teteryan said that all segments must be defended for the unity of Syria. Referring to the attacks of Turkey and its SNA, Imad Teteryan added, "On the one hand, there are attacks on the Autonomous Administration, and on the other hand, attacks against Alevis continue. We condemn all of these attacks. Kurds in 4 parts need to take a stance against the attacks against the peoples in the Autonomous Administration. We call for these attacks and massacres to be stopped as soon as possible. If there is an invasion attempt against the Autonomous Administration today, most of the Armenian, Assyrian and other peoples will be massacred. If HTS defines itself as a force of free Syria, it must save the hand it has given to Turkey. Turkey's plans for Syria are to keep it even more in the palm of its hand. We have not forgotten the massacre in 1915. Therefore, our call as the Armenian people is to stop these massacres as soon as possible. The unity of the people has been achieved here today. Let them remove their hands from here."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli