A social media campaign to prevent a "genocide of Armenians!" in the scenic Syrian mountain resort town of Kasab exploded recently, in the latest example of how 21st century communications technology can spread as much disinformation as it does information.



The Armenian diaspora community was shaken late last month when the town of Kasab and surrounding areas fell quickly out of the regime's control, as part of the "Al-Anfal" coastal campaign launched by rebels and jihadists.



For the Armenians of Kasab and Armenians elsewhere, all these distinctions are largely insignificant. The regime and its supporters, besides labeling every insurgent a "terrorist," have emphasized that Turkey is actively aiding the rebels' military efforts, in order to stir up old fears and endemic hostility to Syria's neighbor, whose Ottoman Empire predecessor massacred 1.5 millions beginning in 1915 .



The #saveKessab and other propaganda campaigns generated a quick pushback, on various fronts.



Two of the four large groups leading the campaign are Ansar al-Sham and Ahrar al-Sham, both members in the Islamic Front, an alliance of seven large, conservative Islamist militias.



A small number of mainly elderly Armenians remain in Kasab, the activist said.

...