Afrinpost
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly backed a resolution recognizing that the mass killings of Armenians 100 years ago were genocide, in a symbolic but historic vote that Turkey was quick to condemn.
The House of Representatives, dominated by the Democrats, voted by 405 to 11 on the resolution, which affirms that the policy of the United States, which considered the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire during the period from 1915 to 1923 genocide.
That legislation highlights the frustration of Democrats and Republicans in Congress against the Turkish government.
Shortly after that vote, the House also overwhelmingly passed a resolution demanding that President Donald Trump impose sanctions and other restrictions on Turkey and Turkish officials over Ankara’s attack in northern Syria.
Members of the Council voted 403 to 16. It is part of efforts by Democrats and many Republicans in Congress to push Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government to end the offensive against Kurdish forces that helped US forces in the war organize IS.
That move would also inflame relations between the two NATO members. The fate of the legislation in the Senate remains unclear, with no date set for a similar vote.
Legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide has been stalled in Congress for decades because of fears it could complicate relations with Turkey and because of heavy pressure from the Ankara government on Washington. But US lawmakers have been furious with Turkey for months over buying a Russian missile defense system in defiance of US sanctions and a recent incursion into northern Syria to fight SDF fighters after Trump suddenly pulled US troops out of the region.
Democrat Adam Schiff, a California lawmaker with a large Armenian background, has sought to pass such legislation for 19 years. Mobilizing support for the resolution in an emotionally charged speech in the House of Representatives referred to the Kurds.
“When we see pictures of Kurdish families who were terrified in northern Syria loading their belongings in cars or buggy and fleeing their homes to any place away from Turkish bombs and marauding militias, how can we say that crimes committed a century ago are from the past?” “.
“We cannot say that We cannot pick and choose which crimes against humanity are appropriate to talk about…. Outside power cannot keep us silent.” He added.
