SYRIA

There is only one Syrian Armenian in Istanbul that I know. Though I know him for one and a half year, I couldn't have managed to learn about his story. And once I learned about it, I thought that his story should be shared.

Turkish Military Forces has entered Syria. The operation named “Euphrates Shield” started on Wednesday morning and the forces reached ISIS-held Jarablus in the same day. Political scientist Assistant Prof. Erhan Keleşoğlu and former Erbil Consulate-General Aydın Selcen assessed "Euphrates Shield" operation, that was launched against ISIS in Jarablus.

Two mortar shells were fired from Jarablus, which is a Syrian town under the control of ISIS. Turkish Military Forces announced that howitzer attacks were launched on 4 positions of ISIS.

We talked to Syrian immigrants with different professions about the debate on Turkish citizenship. They all want to acquire Turkish citizenship because it would make their lives easier. However, they don't know whether they comply with the criteria of "being a useful and qualified person", declared by President Erdoğan. They are also disturbed by the hate speech against them.

Around the corner from the Chora church sits a wooden building, a cultural hub for the city’s burgeoning Syrian population. This month, Pages, one of Istanbul’s two Arabic book stores, tucked carefully between the back streets of Edirnekapi, is celebrating its first anniversary.

In a report titled ‘Taking Sides’, advocacy group The Syria Campaign has criticised the United Nation’s humanitarian efforts within Syria.

Armenian Ministry of Culture announced that they will provide support for the restoration of Palmyra, which was taken back by Assad regime's army on March.

Famous Lebanese director and producer Nigol Bezjian looks at the Syrian War. Having learned that his school in Aleppo was bombarded, Bezjian wrote about war, destruction and the migration that happened again after 100 years.

According to the Assyrian Federation of Sweden, 40 Assyrians who had been held captive by ISIS are released.

On Saturday, Turkish Military Forces (TSK) fired howitzers from Kilis to the regions around Menagh Airport near Azaz province. Menagh Airport was seized by PYD few days ago.