OpinionSpecial Reports
Syrian-Armenian Memory and the Refugee Issue in Syria under the French Mandate (1921–46)
The Armenian Weekly Magazine
April 2012
An overwhelming majority of today’s Syrian-Armenians are the descendants of Ottoman-Armenians who survived the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The 120,000–150,000 deportees in Ottoman Syria, who had hoped to return to their homeland as soon as World War I was over, returned to Cilicia, which, by the time of the Mudros Armistice (Oct. 30, 1918), had come under French occupation. All hope of rebuilding their communities, however, vanished with the Turkish
Or, subscribe now for unlimited access
By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
Already a subscriber?Log in here
This story is FREE for you...
Create a free account to access this and four more articles, and get more sent to you with our e-newsletter.By submitting your email address you agree for Hairenik Association, Inc. to send you communication by email.
It makes you wonder why Armenia didn’t try a different tact during the breakup of the Soviet Union It might have done better had it decided to become an oblast of Russia similar to Kaliningrad. Russia might have taken the bit in an effort to protect its southern frontier. It’s almost impossibe to swim in a shark tank.
Born and bred in Brooklyn, New York it’s interesting to me that while the Sunday Market Scenario was taking place in Syria, another entirely different scene took place in the Syrian neighborhood of Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn.
It could very well have been Oct. 12, 1936; I was age 9 and always accompanied my mother to the Syrian market. I would carry away bundles of groceries from “Yergan’s” Grocery (He was 7 foot tall) and who would always give me a “sweet”.
Next we would visit the butcher whose “kore achg” was the source of my mother’s name for him. I don’t know how he tolerated my fussy mother; first with this piece of meat, and then with that piece of meat until she sensed his
discomfort and settled on the first piece, after all!
I had a cat which was always hungry and so “kore achg” would give me two pennies worth of scrap meat.
Then we’d cross the Avenue to a basement bakery for the “Potsh Hatsh” Here my reward was a piece of freshly cooked Syrian bread that smelled oh so good!
The walk home took only 10 minutes during which I’d ask my mother why she settled on the first piece of meat afterall. Her answer was “So he wouldn’t think I was an easy customer”.
After feeding the cat I couldn’t wait to mash the garlic, brown it in butter and help myself to “tahn abour”
I’m glad I didn’t know Armenians and Syrians were “breaking each others heads”
It would have been very relevant and useful to delve into the history and deeds of the Armenian Legion formed under the command and control of the French Army occupying Kilikya between the Armistice and the Turkish War of Liberation. It is an important part Syrian-Armenian history. I certainly understand why the author has kept clear of the topic in great Armenian tradition.
The French Armenian legion was formed in November of 1916.
The Armenian Genocide began in April 1915.
In the normal Universe and time continuum we live in, 1915 precedes 1916.
The Legion was formed as a direct result of the Armenian Genocide being conducted by Turks at that time.
Its aim was to try to defend and prevent massacres of as many Armenian civilians in Cilicia as possible.
As is the custom of Denialist Turks, they routinely forget to mention that they, the Turks, stated the whole cycle of violence and bloodshed.
Starting with the invasion of Armenian and Christian lands by Seljuk Turks.
I certainly understand why the Denialist Murat has kept clear of the topic in the great Denialist Turkish tradition.
Avery, I thank you for helping Murat with his chronology.