Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Armenia unites to mark Ottoman massacres after leader quits

-

Armenians on Tuesday marked the anniversary of the massacre of 1.5 million of their kin by Ottoman forces in 1915, in a show of unity a day after leader Serzh Sarkisian resigned following days of mass protests.

The commemorations are a hugely emotional event for the South Caucasus country and Armenians of all stripes flocked to a hilltop memorial in the capital Yerevan with flowers in their hands to honour the victims of the World War I-era killings.

This year's events were held a day after Sarkisian, who the opposition accused of a blatant power grab, stunned the country by saying he was in the wrong and resigning just days after being elected prime minister.

The acting head of government, Karen Karapetyan, appealed for unity after the wrenching political turmoil, with talks set for Wednesday with protest leader Nikol Pashinyan to discuss the transfer of power.

Russia -- which has a military base in Armenia -- appealed for stability but said it would not interfere.

Many Armenians said it was important the country managed to avoid bloodletting ahead of the highly symbolic commemorations.

The commemorations of the World War 1-era massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces are a hugely emoti...
The commemorations of the World War 1-era massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces are a hugely emotional event for the former Soviet republic
KAREN MINASYAN, AFP

"Thank God Armenian blood was not shed on the eve of the Genocide Remembrance Day," Seyran Halachyan, 58, told AFP at the foot of the hilltop memorial, the country's most visited landmark.

Ashot Minasyan, 72, said he was grateful to Sarkisian for not crushing peaceful protests and "leaving without bloodshed".

- 'Difficult phase' -

Karapetyan thanked all political forces for heeding his call for unity in the former Soviet republic.

"We are going through a difficult new phase in our history," he said in a statement.

Days of demonstrations in the Armenian capital Yerevan led to the resignation of Prime Minister Serz...
Days of demonstrations in the Armenian capital Yerevan led to the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian
KAREN MINASYAN, AFP/File

"Today we show the world that despite difficulties and unresolved domestic issues we are together and united. This is our duty to the genocide's innocent victims."

Pashinyan, who led the mass demonstrations, was expected to lead supporters to the memorial later Tuesday.

"Tomorrow we will go together to tell our martyrs that the people have won, that the genocide for our people is in the past," Pashinyan said Monday.

Pashinyan said on Facebook that on Tuesday he would conduct "political consultations" to discuss a number of concrete steps so that people's victory "could be legally guaranteed".

He has said that parliament would have to elect a new prime minister within a week and that new parliamentary elections were also on the cards.

Armed with buckets and brushes, some demonstrators also went to the capital's Republic Square to clean up the protest site.

- 'Will there be new shocks?' -

Many said they felt mixed emotions because the impoverished country's future was uncertain.

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned after days of mass protests  saying he was in the w...
Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned after days of mass protests, saying he was in the wrong
STEFFI LOOS, AFP/File

"I've been thinking from the start of the day that everything is just beginning," said Asya Bagdasaryan, 43.

"What awaits us in the future? Will there be new shocks?"

Political turmoil enveloped the impoverished country of 2.9 million people after Sarkisian was last week elected prime minister by lawmakers after serving a decade as president.

The opposition charged that the 63-year-old wanted to extend his grip on power under a new parliamentary system of government.

Tens of thousands of people subsequently took to the streets of Yerevan and other cities in largely peaceful protests.

Timeline of protests in Armenia after  Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned Monday
Timeline of protests in Armenia after Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned Monday
William ICKES, AFP

Sarkisian initially refused to resign but quit on the 11th day of demonstrations after a number of serving and former servicemen joined the marches.

His resignation came as a surprise, with analysts saying just last week that the opposition did not have enough resources to force the veteran leader to quit.

The Kremlin called for order and stability in Armenia which hosts a Russian military base but reiterated that it would not interfere.

"Everything that is happening in Yerevan is an internal affair of our Armenian friends, partners and allies," said President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, expressing hope that a new leader would suit "all forces representing the Armenian people".

Last week Putin called Sarkisian to congratulate him on his election as prime minister despite the rallies.

Armenians on Tuesday marked the anniversary of the massacre of 1.5 million of their kin by Ottoman forces in 1915, in a show of unity a day after leader Serzh Sarkisian resigned following days of mass protests.

The commemorations are a hugely emotional event for the South Caucasus country and Armenians of all stripes flocked to a hilltop memorial in the capital Yerevan with flowers in their hands to honour the victims of the World War I-era killings.

This year’s events were held a day after Sarkisian, who the opposition accused of a blatant power grab, stunned the country by saying he was in the wrong and resigning just days after being elected prime minister.

The acting head of government, Karen Karapetyan, appealed for unity after the wrenching political turmoil, with talks set for Wednesday with protest leader Nikol Pashinyan to discuss the transfer of power.

Russia — which has a military base in Armenia — appealed for stability but said it would not interfere.

Many Armenians said it was important the country managed to avoid bloodletting ahead of the highly symbolic commemorations.

The commemorations of the World War 1-era massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces are a hugely emoti...

The commemorations of the World War 1-era massacre of Armenians by Ottoman forces are a hugely emotional event for the former Soviet republic
KAREN MINASYAN, AFP

“Thank God Armenian blood was not shed on the eve of the Genocide Remembrance Day,” Seyran Halachyan, 58, told AFP at the foot of the hilltop memorial, the country’s most visited landmark.

Ashot Minasyan, 72, said he was grateful to Sarkisian for not crushing peaceful protests and “leaving without bloodshed”.

– ‘Difficult phase’ –

Karapetyan thanked all political forces for heeding his call for unity in the former Soviet republic.

“We are going through a difficult new phase in our history,” he said in a statement.

Days of demonstrations in the Armenian capital Yerevan led to the resignation of Prime Minister Serz...

Days of demonstrations in the Armenian capital Yerevan led to the resignation of Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian
KAREN MINASYAN, AFP/File

“Today we show the world that despite difficulties and unresolved domestic issues we are together and united. This is our duty to the genocide’s innocent victims.”

Pashinyan, who led the mass demonstrations, was expected to lead supporters to the memorial later Tuesday.

“Tomorrow we will go together to tell our martyrs that the people have won, that the genocide for our people is in the past,” Pashinyan said Monday.

Pashinyan said on Facebook that on Tuesday he would conduct “political consultations” to discuss a number of concrete steps so that people’s victory “could be legally guaranteed”.

He has said that parliament would have to elect a new prime minister within a week and that new parliamentary elections were also on the cards.

Armed with buckets and brushes, some demonstrators also went to the capital’s Republic Square to clean up the protest site.

– ‘Will there be new shocks?’ –

Many said they felt mixed emotions because the impoverished country’s future was uncertain.

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned after days of mass protests  saying he was in the w...

Armenian Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned after days of mass protests, saying he was in the wrong
STEFFI LOOS, AFP/File

“I’ve been thinking from the start of the day that everything is just beginning,” said Asya Bagdasaryan, 43.

“What awaits us in the future? Will there be new shocks?”

Political turmoil enveloped the impoverished country of 2.9 million people after Sarkisian was last week elected prime minister by lawmakers after serving a decade as president.

The opposition charged that the 63-year-old wanted to extend his grip on power under a new parliamentary system of government.

Tens of thousands of people subsequently took to the streets of Yerevan and other cities in largely peaceful protests.

Timeline of protests in Armenia after  Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned Monday

Timeline of protests in Armenia after Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian resigned Monday
William ICKES, AFP

Sarkisian initially refused to resign but quit on the 11th day of demonstrations after a number of serving and former servicemen joined the marches.

His resignation came as a surprise, with analysts saying just last week that the opposition did not have enough resources to force the veteran leader to quit.

The Kremlin called for order and stability in Armenia which hosts a Russian military base but reiterated that it would not interfere.

“Everything that is happening in Yerevan is an internal affair of our Armenian friends, partners and allies,” said President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov, expressing hope that a new leader would suit “all forces representing the Armenian people”.

Last week Putin called Sarkisian to congratulate him on his election as prime minister despite the rallies.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

Life

Their stories are divided into before and after.

Social Media

Wanna buy some ignorance? You’re in luck.

Tech & Science

Under new legislation that passed the House of Representatives last week, TikTok could be banned in the United States.

Life

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest often suggest travel destinations based on your likes and viewing habits.