Interview: “This does not mean building a new Syria, it means ethnic cleansing.” Mkrtich Varoujanm, Armenian Civilian

 

RIC spoke to three Armenian civilians. They gave their analysis on the current situation and shared historical background.

Nairi Antranik:

The current situation is a result of Turkish policies. The Turkish-backed factions, along with the policies and agendas they follow, are mainly behind the divisions and the spread of terrorism. We, as Armenian people, are very familiar with Turkish policies. For decades, we have gone through massacres and a major genocide under the pretexts of nationalism and religion. Today, we see these developments being led by Turkey, despite its claims of seeking peace and stability. However, we as Armenians know the Turkish state very well, a state built on the blood of peoples. Therefore, it is impossible that anything driven by Turkey has anything to do with peace.

These terrorist organizations have always operated under the Turkish umbrella and were trained by Turkey in all fields, including logistics, material support, and military training. Until now, the political direction imposed on Syria has always been aligned with Turkish state agendas. For this reason, we as Armenians are fully aware that the background of these factions is terrorism. They claim to care about Christians and try to pull us to their side, attempting to convince us that we are important to them. But we know very well that, in their view, we are considered infidels. This does not reassure us or make us feel safe.

This has already happened in Kessab, where we witnessed what the people went through, including killing and displacement. Even if we are not killed, we will be displaced. We are a peaceful people, and we are against such policies. These terrorist factions are not only against one community, they are against Christians, Armenians, and others. This was proven by the bombing of the Mar Elias Church, where an individual detonated himself among peaceful people who were praying. Therefore, we are experiencing deep concern and fear.

Since the establishment of the DAANES, we as Armenians have supported this project and were actively involved in its foundation. We believe in peace, freedom, and democracy, and we found many shared values with the concepts of the Autonomous Administration and the project of brotherhood among peoples. We hoped that these concepts would expand to all of Syria, but unfortunately, the interests and ambitions of hegemonic powers have stood against this. We want these regions to live in peace, not only for ourselves but for all peoples, Kurds, Arabs, and everyone else. If they live in peace, we will all live. We want to live together, not as one nation or one color. Our diversity gives us strength, unity, and power.

Mkrtich Varoujan:

What we are witnessing in Syria today is without doubt violations against all Syrian communities. When the Syrian government releases ISIS prisoners, this spreads fear and concern among all of us. We know that the Armenian people were genocided by the grandfathers of these fighters, who now claim to represent the Syrian government, while in reality they represent only their caliph, Erdogan. The Syrian government includes many elements linked to Turkish intelligence, and they carry out barbaric acts, including the mutilation of the bodies of SDF fighters and civilians. No one is spared from their actions.

We have seen what they have done in Suwayda, the coast, Qalamoun, and other regions. Neither Christians nor Muslims were spared. In their eyes, any Muslim who does not follow ISIS ideology is not a real Muslim. A radical mentality dominates them. Whenever they attack a place, they do everything possible to turn the battle into a sectarian one. Now they claim they are fighting the Kurds, but this is not true. They are against all Syrian communities.

They are the same fighters who killed the Yazidis in Shengal. They attacked Alawites, Druze, and Christians. These factions make up the so-called Syrian Army that claims it will protect the country. The fear surrounding this army is very serious. It has no values to build a Syrian state based on civil peace. It is a vengeful army against anyone who opposes Turkey. It is tied to Turkish ideology and has nothing to do with the Syrian national project or the protection of Syrian people.

When we hear them say that twenty million Syrians are ready to sacrifice themselves for the Turkish state and kill for its sake, this proves that it is a Turkish army, not a Syrian one. There is a real fear of these factions taking control of the regions. There must be international guarantees to protect the People’s Protection Units, because today there is no longer what was once called the SDF. Those on the frontlines are Kurds, along with Armenians, Assyrians, and Christians.

There must be guarantees to protect the regions from Derik to Kobane, including Qamishlo and Heseke. We should not be deceived by slogans of brotherhood among peoples. Many Arab tribes that once supported the SDF switched sides, and I consider them dishonest, because real Arabs do not cheat, betray, or incite sectarian hatred, they preserve life and blood, as demonstrated by Sheikh Akram Mashoush and Manna Daham al-Hadi. We respect and thank the tribal sheikhs who called for restraint, rejected bloodshed, and opposed sectarian incitement. Those attacking today under this Ataturkist Ottoman army are not acting for Syria. Erdogan continuously calls on Western states to leave Syria and Iraq, claiming that Syria, Turkey, and Iraq will solve their problems according to Islam. This does not mean building a new Syria, it means ethnic cleansing.

Karbiet Serop:

The media has shown the battle as a Kurdish-versus-Arab war. We know that since 2013, when Erdoğan opened the way for takfiri forces to take over Sere Kaniye, a Kurdish force was formed. They said that if we did not liberate Sere Kaniye, they would attack Qamishlo, and if they took it over, the first thing they would do would be enslaving Christian women before any others.

The justice minister was personally involved in many crimes against women in Idlib. Those who were subjected to these kinds of crimes were Arabs, not only Christians. These factions have killed Arabs, Christians, Kurds, Druze, Alawites, and all others.

The war is between a jihadist Salafist current that kills anyone who does not align with its ideology, which is connected to Ibn Taymiyyah.

They always portray this war as Kurds versus Arabs, but what is ignored is that a large number of those who fell within the ranks of the SDF were from different communities and the media deliberately doesn’t show this.

The war is between a force seeking a national solution for the country and terrorist factions that represent an Ottoman agenda—factions that kill anyone who opposes them and want to push Syrian civilization that has a history of thousands of years old, into a dark cage based on jihadist ideology.

This project gives Afghan and Chechen fighters who support them more than it gives the Syrian citizen who cares about his country and opposes them.