Armenian family that fled Raqqa describe years of living under ISIL: video

AMN Al-Masdar News

Aug 17 2017


BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:00 P.M.) – An Armenian family shared their experience of living under the control of self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS; formerly ISIL/ISIS) in Syria before they managed to flee, speaking from their new home in Ayn Abiad village in the northern countryside of Raqqa, Wednesday.

The family said they paid IS-imposed tax known as Jezyah in order to “be protected” as well as obeying orders to avoid punishment.

“During the time of ISIS, you had to dress up and behave in certain ways, if you didn’t fulfil the orders you would be punished according to your offence,” according to members of the family, who said that their religious rituals were banned under IS authorities.

Advertisement

Months later, however, the family found themselves in the situation when they could no longer afford food and water, while having to deal with regular power shortages.

“There was no water left, no bread or electricity. The missiles were over us, all windows and doors were broken, we could not have tea, breakfast or lunch; we used to hide in the cellar.”

At last the family managed to escape to the territory liberated by the Syrian Democratic Forces in Raqqa where they started a new life in a small village outside the city.

Watch the video at

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS