Turkish expert accuses Armenian gangs of committing atrocities in Eastern Anatolia During WWI era

Turkish expert says Turkish expert Yucel Atilla Sehirli has said that Armenian gangs killed numerous people in Eastern Anatolia over a span of three years. 

The reason was a deep-seated hatred for Turks and Muslims, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent residents of the Ottoman Empire, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

The expert made these remarks during an event commemorating the period of the Turkish people's national liberation struggle. 

He stated that Armenians tend to avoid discussing the bloody crimes they committed between 1915 and 1918.

"At the bottom of nearly every well dug in Türkiye's eastern provinces, the remains of Turks killed by Armenians are often found," the expert noted, adding that, despite the historical realities of the 20th century, Armenians have succeeded in distorting the global perception of the final years of the Ottoman Empire.

He reminded of the Turkish authorities' willingness to jointly examine archives.

"Anyone who claims that genocide was committed against Armenians can come to Türkiye with a camera and show the supposed mass burial sites of Armenians. We will personally provide the necessary construction equipment. The fact is, no one comes because they have nothing to show," he stated. 

The expert also addressed the decision by the Ottoman authorities to relocate the Armenian population to other regions of the country, emphasising that some Armenians perished during the journey for various reasons. 

"Similarly, during that period, soldiers of the Ottoman army and ordinary Turks also died for the same reasons. Approximately 30 per cent of military personnel being transferred from one front to another perished during the journey," he stated.

"The Ottoman Empire did not have the means to relocate Armenians in Mercedes cars. There was also no railway infrastructure in that part of Anatolia. Nothing would have happened if the Armenians had not betrayed their state and begun operating behind the lines of the Ottoman army," the expert remarked. 

Türkiye and Armenia have differing narratives regarding the events from 1915 to 1923. Armenia claims that 1.5 million people were intentionally killed, while Türkiye contends that the fatalities were due to relocations and civil unrest.  

Armenia has called for an apology and reparations, while Türkiye has formally denied the Armenian accusations. Türkiye acknowledges that while Armenians died during the relocations, numerous Turks also lost their lives due to attacks by Armenian gangs in Anatolia. 

By Naila Huseynova