ArmInfo. Transformation at some point of the situation around Syria into a direct threat to Armenia is by no means excluded. A similar opinion was expressed by ArmInfo Dean of YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, Turkologist Ruben Melkonyan.
"First of all, given the involvement of our unfriendly Turkish neighbor, friendly Iranian neighbor and Russia's strategic ally in the Syrian tangle. In other words, Armenia simply cannot be an outside observer of this situation. Especially considering that all these military operations are not so far from of our borders. In general, Turkey's actions in Syria are a direct threat to the entire region, including Armenia, "he stressed. On October 17, US Vice President Mike Pence, following talks with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, announced an agreement on a ceasefire in Syria. "Turkey will cease fire in order to allow the YPG forces to enter the security zone within 120 hours. All military operations under the auspices of the Source of Peace will be stopped immediately after the withdrawal of the YPG forces," he said.
According to Pence, the parties, in particular, agreed that the United States would facilitate the withdrawal of Kurdish forces. At the same time, the demarcation line, beyond which the Kurdish formations will lead, will run approximately 30 kilometers south of the Syrian border with Turkey. Washington received guarantees from the Kurds about their organized departure from the border with Turkey.
Another cause for concern for Yerevan, Melkonyan considers the population of the territories periodically subjected to Turkish claims by Armenians. In his opinion, despite the fact that the Armenians are not represented in this territory in large numbers, Armenia, as the birthplace of all Armenians, at least has moral obligations towards the Syrian compatriots.
In this light, the Turkologist assesses the condemnation of Turkish policy towards Syria from Yerevan as positive. According to him, the statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia on the situation in the northern regions of Syria could put some emphasis, however, in general, this statement was consistent with the situation.
The Turkish invasion of Syria has criticized almost all neighboring countries, the European Union and the United States. The Armenian Foreign Ministry described the Turkish military invasion of Syria as creating an immediate danger of massive human rights violations based on identity. "
"In any case, the steps that are currently being taken publicly and non-publicly in Yerevan demonstrate that Armenia does not limit its own concern about the Turkish invasion of Syria to statements. We hope that these steps will succeed, and we can provide concrete assistance to our compatriots," Melkonyan summed up. On October 9, the Turkish army invaded the northern regions of neighboring Syria. Turkish President Recep Erdogan described such actions as the "Source of Peace" operation directed against the PKK and IS. The purpose of the operation, he said, is to ensure the security of the southern border of Turkey from terrorists, protect the territorial integrity of Syria and return the Syrians, "which Turkey cannot contain infinitely".
On the same day, Turkish aircraft attacked the city of Ras Al Ain and several other Syrian cities on the border of the two countries. Later it was announced the start of the ground part of the operation. On Saturday, the Turkish Ministry of Defense reported that the Turkish military and the Syrian armed opposition took control of Ras al-Ain, and on Sunday it was announced that they would take control of the city of Tel Abyad .