The continuing armed clashes in Aleppo have caused an increasing number of local Armenians to seek residence in their historical home country.

Official data suggest that 3,248 ethnic Armenians from the country applied for citizenship in the past six months.
 

The Napatian family, which came to Armenia 16 days ago, is among them. Though they have obtained citizenship, it is yet unclear whether the family will eturn to Syria.
 

“In Aleppo, we little by little, step by step achieved what we have now. It took me 23 years to have an own business. If we move to Armenia, we will have to start everything from scratch. We have a house and work in Aleppo, my children’s school and the clubs,” says the family’s father, Avetis Napatyan.
 

The Napatians say they haven’t seen a tangible assistance from the Armenian Government.

“Our family, for instance, is not in need of anything. But there are families in Aleppo that live from hand to mouth, without any means of survival. I am thinking about them and have no idea what they are going to do,” Mr Napatian told Tert.am, adding that they will need both housing and a job in case of moving to Armenia.
 

The Napatians’ relatives are all in Syria. Mr. Avetis says the Armenian population is not facing any threats despite the deteriorating situation in the country. The current circumstances, in general, are bad for all, with Armenians forming part of the country’s general population.

“An Armenian from the Diaspora, an Aleppo-Armenian, is powerful as he knows there is a country like Armenia standing by it. What about the other nations, the Christian or the minorities?” he says.

The Aleppo-Armenians are sure that the Armenian Government’s decision to ease the visas and Armavia Air Company’s promise to lower the air ticket fares will have a positive impact on the community.

While the Napatians are uncertain about their plans to return, another family, the Varzhapetians, are determined to settle in Armenia.

Speaking to Tert.am, the family’s father, Arman Varzhapetian, said they made the decision when the Syrian crisis had just emerged.

“I wanted to make a change in my life, and the situation in Syria was just one of the reasons,” he said.

The Varzhapetyans know it will not be easy to start everything from scratch. A school in Yerevan met them with a cordial welcome, promising to do everything to help their children to learn Eastern Armeniam.

“The Government has to be a little quick, without waiting till the problem comes up,” he said.

Varzhapetian said they do not expected financial assistance from the Government. He proposes only legislative measures, such as tax privileges, to to facilitate the Syrian-Armenians business opportunities in the country.

Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan had earlier told Tert.am that they are concerned about the Syrian-Armenians’ situation, with the Government ready to offer them assistance in case they face a physical threat.

The situation in Aleppo continues to remain tense, with the bombings not stopping for already a week. Though the clashes have not extended to the Armenian districts, they are only 3-4 kilometers away from them. The shortage of bread and water in the city has caused the Armenian population to collect food reserve in anticipation of a long war.