Category: 2021

Christians who had to leave their homes after the PKK terrorist group’s U.S.-backed Syrian branch YPG occupied northern Syria’s Ras al-Ain district, now live in a peaceful environment after Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring cleared the region of terrorists and provided secure conditions for different ethnic and religious groups to live together.

When the terrorist organization YPG/PKK invaded the Ras al-Ain district in Syria, across from the Ceylanpınar district of Turkey’s southeastern border province Şanlıurfa, in July 2013, the Melki brothers, from the minority Christian community living in the district, suffered the most.

After the invasion, the Melki brothers took refuge in Turkey, leaving their sisters behind.

The brothers, who fled the persecution of the YPG/PKK, started to live in a tent camp set up for Syrian refugees in the Midyat district of southeastern Mardin province.

Naum, 56, returned to Ras al-Ain district in May 2016 after YPG/PKK terrorists abducted his sisters and stole their home. However, the terrorist organization detained Naum for about three months.

After the Ras al-Ain district was liberated from terrorism in October 2019, 58-year-old Ziyad Melki returned to his home in the district from Turkey, where he had stayed for six years.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Naum said: “The Turkish brothers welcomed us. From the time we entered the district, they helped us with whatever we needed. AFAD (Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) and Kızılay (Turkish Red Crescent) have always helped us.”

Stating that some Christian clergy living in Turkey made offers to send them to Europe, Melki said: “We did not go to Europe because we have rights and land. We refused. We always dreamed of returning to Ras al-Ain one day. Even though there was a tent life, our Turkish brothers have always been good to us.”

Naum Melki said that just before the agreement signed between the U.S. and Turkey on Oct. 17, 2019, he was detained by YPG/PKK terrorists for 43 days and returned to Ras al-Ain after he was released.

Expressing that he was very happy because the district was cleared of YPG/PKK terrorists, Melki said: “When the Turkish army-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) liberated our district, I kissed the land, the SNA group that saved me, the church and my house.”

In 2019, Turkey carried out Operation Peace Spring against the PKK terrorist group’s Syrian branch, the YPG, which is mainly backed by the U.S. in northern Syria, to prevent a terror corridor from being created along its southern border, as well as to bring peace and tranquility to the region.

The operation, conducted in line with the country’s right to self-defense borne out of international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions, aimed to establish a terrorism-free safe zone for Syrians to return to the area east of the Euphrates, which was then controlled by the U.S.-backed YPG/PKK terrorists.

Since the launch of the operation, Turkey has been supporting every aspect of life in the region, from health to education, security to agriculture. In this respect, efforts to clear bombs and improvised explosive devices were launched and administration duties were given to local councils.

The country also rolled up its sleeves to reconstruct hospitals, schools, mosques and roads destroyed by the YPG/PKK. Within the scope of ameliorating the region’s social infrastructure, people were given food and clothing by several nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) while roads and buildings were rebuilt. These efforts paid off as hundreds of displaced Syrians started to return to the liberated areas.

After the completion of the operation, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Syrian National Army (SNA) units focused on ensuring the security of the region and creating the necessary conditions for the return of civilians displaced by terrorism. Thanks to Turkey’s intense contributions in the fields of health, education and service to return life to normal, the population of the region is now around 250,000.

Locals living in areas held by the YPG have long suffered from its atrocities as the terrorist organization has a notorious record of human rights abuses, ranging from kidnappings, recruitment of child soldiers, torture, ethnic cleansing and forced displacement.

The atmosphere of trust and stability provided in the Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain districts in the Operation Peace Spring region distanced both districts from the chaos of the war. The commercial activity at the open customs gates with Turkey also plays an important role in the development of the region.

Since 2016, Turkey has launched a trio of successful counterterrorism operations across its border in northern Syria – Euphrates Shield in 2016, Olive Branch in 2018 and Peace Spring in 2019. These operations all aimed to prevent the formation of a terrorism corridor and to enable the peaceful resettlement of residents.

Melki stated that the TSK gives great priority to the maintenance and repair of all churches in the district, and that they install cameras for the security of their churches.

“What Turkey did for the mosques in the district, it did the same for the churches here.” Naum Melki said adding: “The Turkish Armed Forces equipped the interior and exterior of the Mary Mecdeliyya Church with cameras. They also installed cameras, maintained, repaired and illuminated the Martuma Resul Church and the Mar Agob Church of our Armenian brothers. Our brothers in SNA also provided us with generators for the lighting of the churches.

“We live in brotherhood and harmony with other ethnic groups in the district. We often hear that Western society worries about the existence of Christians, but we have never seen them here. On the contrary, we have seen the violations of the terrorist organization YPG, which is supported by the United States and talks about the so-called brotherhood of peoples,” he added.

Ziyad Melki, 58, a member of the Ras al-Ain local council, said that Arab, Chechen, Turkmen and all other ethnic and religious groups in the district lead a brotherly and harmonious life.

Emphasizing that the TSK and SNA protect the churches, Melki said: “As a member of the Christian community, we fulfill our religious obligations in the same way as other ethnicities live their religious freedom fluently and unhindered here.”

Ziyad Melki thanked Turkey and SNA for clearing the region of terrorists.

Muhammed Nura, one of the SNA commanders in the district, said that they made great efforts to make Ras al-Ain a safe district.

Nura said: “Many people from different ethnicities live in Ras al-Ain district. We show great sensitivity to solve their problems. We always treat Christian brothers specially.”

Azerbaijan offered resolve border disputes and reach a permanent peace deal with Armenia but hasn’t received any reply so far, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said on Thursday.

Speaking at the opening of 8th Global Baku Forum, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan and Armenia are in the post-conflict era now, and Baku is ready to make a peace deal with Yerevan.

“We are rebuilding the liberated lands. More than 1 million of our compatriots will return to our lands. Now we are in the post-conflict period. We have proposed a peace and demarcation agreements to Armenia. But we have not received a response yet. Azerbaijan demonstrates the constructive approach at maximum level. Everything is depending on Armenia’s stance. We are ready to work on the peace agreement, to turn a new page,” he said.

The Azerbaijani President also criticized the unproductive approach of the international community before last year’s conflict.

The 8th Global Baku Forum brings together high-level representatives, including former heads of state and government, officials of international and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from more than 40 countries to discuss issues of global importance.

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27, 2020, the Armenian army launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violated several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages from the nearly three-decade Armenian occupation.

On Nov. 10 last year, the two countries signed a Russian-brokered agreement to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

On Jan. 11, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

Prior to this victory, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory had been under illegal occupation for nearly 30 years.

Armenia must cease its territorial claims that go against Azerbaijan and pursue a peaceful agenda in the South Caucasus, Hikmet Hajiyev, aide to Azerbaijani President Ilhan Aliyev, said on Thursday.

Speaking to Daily Sabah on the sidelines of the eighth Global Baku Forum, Hajiyev urged Yerevan to “build a new positive agenda.”

“We are actually seeing some messages coming from Armenia but we would like to see more concrete and steadfast steps from the Armenian side. Unfortunately, sometimes Armenia is taking one step forward and two steps back. Backward policies and retrospective approaches should be avoided while more forward-looking and future-looking approaches should be applied,” he stressed.

Hajiyev said that Armenia is still sticking to its old narrative, stressing that it is completely unacceptable as “Armenia should first psychologically and mentally change to accept a new reality, which is based on the reality that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is over.”

He stated that Armenia’s policy of occupation was brought to a final end through political and military means and that U.N. Security Council resolutions have been established.

Hajiyev called on Armenia to change its revanchist way of thinking and stop its “destructive and escalatory rhetoric,” in particular the use of terminology like “Nagorno-Karabakh republic” or “Artsakh republic.”

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Azerbaijan and Armenia have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

When new clashes erupted on Sept. 27 last year, the Armenian military launched attacks on civilians and Azerbaijani forces, violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements during the subsequent clashes.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages.

On Nov. 10, 2020, the two countries signed a Russia-brokered agreement to end the fighting and work toward a comprehensive resolution.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.

Hajiyev also spoke on the planned Zangezur corridor. Zangezur was part of Azerbaijan before the Soviets gave the region to Armenia in the 1920s. After the move, Azerbaijan lost its link with the Nakhchivan enclave.

Azerbaijan has placed emphasis on projects in the Zangezur corridor, which will include highways and rail lines that stretch across territories of Armenia’s Syunik region.

Acknowledging that it is hard to say when it will open, Hajiyev said that Armenia has an obligation to open the corridor, noting the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijan, Armenia and Russia at the highest level.

He explained that currently, trilateral working group meetings are being held at the deputy prime minister level between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, however, Baku expects more concrete, practical measures from Yerevan.

The corridor presents opportunities for regional cooperation, trade and connectivity, Hajiyev noted, highlighting that it will first end the blockade of Nakhchivan, which he describes as an “inseparable part of Azerbaijan,” by providing a direct link between the enclave and mainland Azerbaijan.

He stated that in the meantime, “Armenia should also assess what kind of opportunities it can get because it will also transform Armenia from a landlocked country to a ‘land-linked’ country.”

Describing all transport corridors and connectivity systems as a “two-way street,” Hajiyev said the corridor provides an opportunity for Armenia to be linked with Azerbaijan’s connectivity system and reach Iranian and Russian railway networks.

“The potential is over there, but Armenia should assess and make rational and fast decisions.”

Another issue on the agendas of Caucasus nations is a planned six-country platform to promote cooperation.

Ankara has made frequent calls for a six-nation platform comprising of Turkey, Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia for permanent peace, stability and cooperation in the region, saying it would be a win-win initiative for all regional actors in the Caucasus.

However, tensions have mounted recently between Iran and Azerbaijan as Tehran heckles Baku over its ties with Israel and Baku criticizes Tehran’s “provocative” military actions near its borders.

“There was an escalation in rhetoric between Azerbaijan and Iran. Now, we have received positive messages from Iran, highlighting the importance it attaches to building relations with its neighbors,” Hajiyev explained, adding that Baku prefers mutually beneficial cooperation and good neighborly relations based on respect and non-interference in one another’s domestic and foreign policy choices.

Turkey believes that permanent peace is possible through mutual security-based cooperation among the states and people of the South Caucasus region.

“The region of the South Caucasus belongs to us and we are part of that, we should think about peace and security and stability in this region. Azerbaijan sees this as an inclusive process,” said Hajiyev on the initiative, adding: “From that perspective, the South Caucasus and our neighboring countries, like Turkey, Russia and Iran, can also join this process and have a platform of extensive discussions and deliberations.”

Describing Ankara and Baku as pioneers of stability in the South Caucasus region, Hajiyev said: “Even before the resolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and 44 days of war, Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation was a strong pillar of regional security.”

“Our different projects are providing mutually beneficial elements of cooperation of our neighbors as well.”

Hajiyev also drew attention to Ankara and Baku’s “extensive defense and military cooperation” and noted what a tremendous support Turkey was in helping Azerbaijan build its defense forces and train its military.

Asenior United States senator, known for his ties to the U.S.’ Greek and Armenian lobbies, has proposed measures that target Turkey’s defense sector exports and aid to Azerbaijan.

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez, chairperson of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Thursday recommended measures to put Turkey’s drone program under harsh scrutiny and deny any further aid to Azerbaijan.

Menendez’ proposed changes to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) seek to tighten U.S. government tracking and reporting on Turkey’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) exports for national security reasons and to prevent further allowances to bypass a 1992 law banning U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan.

The senator has claimed that Turkey’s drone sales are “dangerous, destabilizing and a threat to peace and human rights.”

Mentioning how Turkish drones played a critical role in Azerbaijan’s fall 2020 liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh from nearly 30 years of illegal Armenian occupation, Menendez pointed out how Poland, a NATO member, Morocco and Ukraine, both allies of the West, also purchased Turkish drones.

Several other countries have expressed interest in purchasing Turkish drones, he said, including Angola, Niger, Nigeria and Rwanda.

Menendez’s proposed changes would require the U.S. Defense Department and the State Department to investigate whether Turkish drones contain U.S.-made parts or technology. They would also require the State Department to determine whether Turkey’s exports are a violation of the Arms Export Control Act or any other U.S. laws or sanctions.

On Azerbaijan, Menendez is pushing to stop any more exceptions to a 1992 law banning U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan. The 1992 law in question bans most assistance to Azerbaijan “until it takes demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.”

Relations between the former Soviet republics of Armenia and Azerbaijan have been tense since 1991 when the Armenian military occupied Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as Upper Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent regions.

New clashes erupted on Sept. 27 last year, with the Armenian army attacking civilians and Azerbaijani forces and violating several humanitarian cease-fire agreements.

During the 44-day conflict, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and some 300 settlements and villages that had been occupied by Armenia for almost 30 years.

Prior to this, about 20% of Azerbaijan’s territory was also under illegal occupation.

The fighting ended with a Russian-brokered agreement on Nov. 10, 2020, with the cease-fire seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia.

Two months later, the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed a pact to develop economic ties and infrastructure to benefit the entire region. It also included the establishment of a trilateral working group on Karabakh.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region’s Armen Sahakyan ends his tenure as the executive director after nearly three years, as he and his wife repatriate to Armenia. Sahakyan will continue to remain engaged with the organization in a consulting capacity.

“It’s been my honor to serve the Armenian-American community with the ANCA these last 13 years,” remarked Sahakyan. “From a local activist to a fellow to an executive director, I have worked alongside incredible individuals who fight tirelessly every day for our community. Thank you in particular to the ANCA-WR Board of Directors, staff, committee members, and volunteers for their trust and productive collaboration over the past three years. I wish the organization continued growth and success in service of the Armenian Cause.”

• Armenia’s Consul General to Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian (center left) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Sahakyan
• Sahakyan with ANCA-WR board members at the farewell reception hosted by the organization

Sahakyan’s tenure as the executive director coincided with the devastating 44-day war, as well as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; the organization promptly responded to both crises deploying all available resources to contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the community and the Homeland. This period also marked the historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the U.S. President – a policy priority long pursued by the ANCA. Additionally, the ANCA-WR deepened relations with a number of coalition partners, substantially increased media engagement, and implemented civic education initiatives.

“The ANCA Western Region has been truly fortunate to have Armen Sahakyan as its Executive Director especially during these last few years filled with triumph as well as crises. We are proud of his achievements and applaud his enviable decision with his wife Talin to repatriate to the Homeland. While his departure is certainly a loss for us, his move will be Armenia’s gain, and we eagerly anticipate his continued work and further accomplishments in service to the Nation.”

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Chief of Staff Anna Mouradian presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Sahakyan

The ANCA-WR Board of Directors hosted a farewell reception on October 14 during which they presented Sahakyan with a commemorative plaque. California State Senator Anthony Portantino and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Chief of Staff Anna Mouradian also presented certificates of appreciation. On October 27, at the end of a reception honoring State Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan, Armenia’s Consul General to Los Angeles Ambassador Armen Baibourtian presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Sahakyan for his many years of dedicated service and effective cooperation with the Consulate. 

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.