Dr. Yervant Arslanian, Syrian Armenian Doctor, Killed by Sniper in Aleppo

Dr. Yervant Arslanian, a respected Syrian Armenian physician from Aleppo, tragically passed away on November 30, 2024, after being struck by a sniper's bullet while traveling on the road to Salamiyah, northeast of Aleppo. The 66-year-old doctor was transported to a hospital in Hama following the incident, but his condition worsened, and he succumbed to his injuries at noon that same day. As reported by the Armenian newspaper Kantsasar, his death marks the loss of a prominent figure in both the medical and Armenian communities in Syria.

Dr. Arslanian was born in 1958 in Aleppo, a city historically home to one of the largest Armenian communities in the Middle East. As a member of this vibrant diaspora, Arslanian played a key role in supporting both the health of the local community and its cultural heritage. He had been practicing medicine for decades, becoming a trusted figure among locals and fellow Armenians alike.

Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, has experienced some of the most intense and prolonged fighting of the Syrian Civil War. The city, home to tens of thousands of Armenians before the war, became a focal point of the conflict, particularly during its siege and the battle for control between government forces and various rebel factions. Arslanian, like many others, remained in Aleppo despite the growing dangers, continuing to serve his community amid the violence.

In the years leading up to his death, the situation in Aleppo remained precarious, with ongoing clashes between different armed groups, including Turkish-backed rebels, Kurdish forces, and government troops. The area where Dr. Arslanian was attacked, on the road to Salamiyah, has seen increasing instability, with sniper fire becoming a frequent risk for those traveling between different regions of Syria.

Dr. Arslanian's death has sent shockwaves through Aleppo's Armenian community, which has already endured immense hardship since the onset of the war. Before the conflict, the Armenian population in Aleppo numbered around 60,000, making it one of the largest Armenian communities in the Middle East. However, the war has decimated the population, with many fleeing to other countries, including Armenia, Lebanon, and the West.

Despite the exodus, the remaining Armenians in Aleppo, and the broader Armenian diaspora, have continued to honor their cultural and religious traditions, supporting the community's survival and rebuilding efforts. Dr. Arslanian, who was a pillar of this community, will be remembered not only for his medical work but for his contributions to maintaining the identity and resilience of Aleppo’s Armenian population during the toughest of times.