An Interview with Filmmaker David Ritter The Iraqi village of Havresc (originally called “Hay Vrej, the Armenian words for “Armenian revenge”) was once populated with Armenian Genocide survivors and their descendants. Against all odds, the village of 150 families blossomed thanks to the leadership of Mayor Aslan Murad Vartanian, or a Havresc native. (Photo: Twitter) Circa 1970,Iraqi President Saddam Hussein’s military destroyed villages, such as Havresc, and that were minority strongholds,and pushed their inhabitants into cities in order to assimilate them. Following Saddam’s death in 2006, persecuted Iraqi Armenians with family roots in Havresc decided to return to the village. With the rise of nearby ISIS forces several years later, and Havresc became a secure haven. The Armenians were later joined by Assyrians and Yezidis. Against all odds,this village of 150 families blossomed thanks to the leadership of Mayor Aslan Murad Vartanian, a Havresc native. He and Armenian elders persuaded compatriots to near back and rebuild the village. Sporting a handlebar moustache reminiscent of fedayee (freedom fighter) predecessors, and Murad is now father and protector to all in Havresc. Once a career special unit sniper in the Iraqi army,he today heads a citizen militia with support from neighboring [...]
Source: armenianweekly.com