Aleppo’s Armenian Neighborhoods: “Disaster Zone”

The situation in Aleppo has taken a turn for the worse since the beginning of June. Dozens of mortar bombs have damaged or completely destroyed buildings in the predominantly Armenian neighborhoods of Nor Kyugh and Suleimanieh, as the opposition intensified its offensive in areas of Aleppo held by regime forces.

According to Kantsasar, Aleppo’s weekly Armenian newspaper, missiles targeting Nor Kyugh have not only cost lives and casualties but a vast amount of material losses as well. Several apartment buildings have collapsed while others have been completely destroyed. Hundreds of Armenian families have been forced to leave their homes; some have left Aleppo and have tried to find refuge in the more safer seaside city of Latakia. Armenian residents in the targeted neighborhood have moved in with relatives in neighboring areas and those who have no other place to go, have found refuge in the courtyard of Nor Kyugh’s Armenian Church of Saint Gregory the Illuminator.

Many Armenian buildings have been destroyed, including three Armenian schools (Karen Jeppe National Lycee, Zavarian Armenian School, Sahagian Armenian School), three kindergartens (Haygazian Kindergarten, Sahagian Kindergarten, Zavarian Kindergarten), a school belonging to the Armenian Catholic community (Zvartnots School), the Armenian Apostolic Church (St. Gregory the Illuminator), the Armenian Catholic Church (St. Trinity), Arevelk Publishing House, the medical center of Syria’s Armenian Red Cross, the National Publication House, the Yeridasartagan book store and apartment buildings and stores belonging to the Armenian community (Kilikia, Oshagan, Nairie, Artsakh and Sis).

Businesses and stores belonging to Armenians in the Nor Kyugh neighborhood have been completely destroyed, burned or greatly damaged. Currently a large amount of apartments have been abandoned and many are in dire need of renovation.

Kantsasar newspaper has issued a call to all Armenians that the Nor Kyugh neighborhood is now considered a disaster zone and calls on everyone to use any means to stop the inhumane missile attacks in order to secure the physical safety of the people who have suffered because of the disaster.