1922 Սեպտեմբեր. Զմիւռնիայի հայերի եւ յոյների բնաջնջումը եւ քրիստոնէաբնակ թաղամասերի հրկիզումը

Abstract

The research focuses on the contradictory claims concerning the annihilation of the Armenians and Greeks in Smyrna and the arson in its Armenian and Greek quarters. Based on collected data, information, eyewitness accounts and media reports, the paper rejects the Turkish claims that the arson was caused by Armenians and Greeks. It argues that these quarters were burnt in order to eliminate any evidence of killings and responsibility by the Turks. The author notes titles like "Fire of Smyrna" or the "Catastrophe of Smyrna" simply cover up the name of the perpetrators of the Smyrna atrocities. The paper details the plan of action of the arson and massacre of the Christian population and notes that it had a specific order: killings, robbery, theft, rape, and finally arson. The author stresses that this procedure of violence was simila to many atrocities perpetrated against cities, towns and villages in the Armenian Vilayets and Cilicia.