YEREVAN -- Armenian officials have expressed concern over the fate of ethnic Armenians in Syria's northwestern city of Kesab.
More than 600 local Armenian families had to flee their homes in Kesab following the seizure of the city last week by armed groups believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda who penetrated into Syria from nearby Turkish territory.
Armenian lawmaker Arman Sahakian, who is currently in Syria along with five other Armenian lawmakers, told RFE/RL on March 27 that the local Armenians had found temporary refuge in the city of Latakia.
He said the refugees hope to return to their homes soon and do not plan to migrate to Armenia.
Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balaian said on March 26 that Yerevan did not plan to evacuate the Kesab Armenians from Syria to Armenia.
More than 600 local Armenian families had to flee their homes in Kesab following the seizure of the city last week by armed groups believed to be affiliated with Al-Qaeda who penetrated into Syria from nearby Turkish territory.
Armenian lawmaker Arman Sahakian, who is currently in Syria along with five other Armenian lawmakers, told RFE/RL on March 27 that the local Armenians had found temporary refuge in the city of Latakia.
He said the refugees hope to return to their homes soon and do not plan to migrate to Armenia.
Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balaian said on March 26 that Yerevan did not plan to evacuate the Kesab Armenians from Syria to Armenia.
