State Department “Deeply Troubled” By Attacks on Kessab Armenians -Video –

State Department “Deeply Troubled” By Attacks on Kessab Armenians -Video –

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iACl_yccDGk

On March 28th, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf commented on the crisis in Kessab, Syria, stating “We are deeply troubled by recent fighting and violence that is endangering the Armenian community in Kessab, Syria and has forced many to flee. There are far too many innocent civilians suffering as a result of the war. All civilians, as well as their places of worship, must be protected.” Harf continued to note, ” We have long had concerns about the threat posed by violent extremists and this latest threat to the Armenian community in Syria only underscores this further.”

Armenian National Committee of America Chairman Ken Hachikian offered this comment on the State Department statement: “The ANCA welcomes this initial expression of U.S. Government concern, in the wake of our recent consultations with the State Department, and looks forward to these words translating into concrete action in defense of Armenians, all Christians, and other at-risk minorities in Kessab, Aleppo, and throughout Syria. We remain troubled, however, by the Administration’s silence – in the face of compelling evidence – on Turkey’s role in facilitating the cross-border incursions by extremist forces and look to Secretary Kerry to send a strong message to the Erdogan Administration to end its complicity in these attacks.”