Syrian-Armenians not planning return despite stabilization trends - opinions
Despite the Syrian government forces’ recent success promising a stabilization in the country, most of the Syrian-Armenians who have come to Armenia in the wake of the exacerbating war prefer to leave for Canada in search of a better future, says Hrach Palmanukian, a Yerevan-based Syrian-Armenian businessman.
“The migration is continuing, of course, with about 6-7 people leaving every week,” he told our correspondent today, noting that most families fly to Lebanon as a transit route to Canada.
He cited socio-economic difficulties as a major motive causing most community members to leave their historical homeland. “The country is very good; so are the state and the government. The people here gave us a good reception, but we have no other choice; such are the conditions,” the businessman added.
It comes after the Syrian government forces released the city of Palmyra from the Islamic State’s control in a landmark move which is thought to have laid the foundations of future victories.
“It’s not a matter to be resolved in just a day or two, so they keep leaving for Canada, It will take years [to settle everything], while those people who have been out of their homes for 4-5 years want a better life.”
Palmanukian said he doesn’t expect the traditionally big Syrian-Armenian community to fully restore its one time influential image. In his words, about 13,000-14,000 Syrian-Armenians have settled in Armenia over the past years, with exactly so many having left for Canada.
A Syrian-Armenian taxi driver identifying himself as Hakob says he is determined to return to Syria sometime in the distant future to take care of his lands and private business.
Tert.am also talked to Zhirayr Reisian, a spokesperson for the Armenian National Prelacy of Aleppo. “Everything is of a landmark importance, as the Palmyra liberation came as a great joy to all of us, especially the cultural world. But it doesn’t have any direct impact on the life in Aleppo. It is inspiring, though, that everything will change for the better,” he added.
Speaking to Tert.am, a specialist in Arab studies, Armen Petrosyan, noted that the infrastructure rebuilding plans had been discussed long ago in Syria, with the ceasefire being maintained only 70%-80%.
“I cite also the US Department of State and the Secretary of State in person as saying that the ceasefire in Syria is being respected 70%-80%. On the other hand, though, the groups, as well as the settlements that joined the ceasefire regime are very limited in number – about 45 groups and approximately 50 settlements. So the Palmyra liberation can be treated as a very symbolic operation, with no essential progress being observed in terms of the liberation of lands or changes in the strategic positions,” he added.
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