Syria and the surrounding areas have often served as a refuge for Armenians who fled from wars and persecutions such as the Armenian Genocide. According to Armenian diaspora organizations estimated that there are 150,000 Armenians in Syria, most of whom live in Aleppo. But in fact the number of the Armenian population in Syria has declined during the recent 20 years, and it roughly counts 100,000 nowadays. The town of Kesab has an Armenian majority. There are Armenians also in Latakia, Kesab and Yacoubiyah in the northwest, and in Ar-Raqqah, Tal Abyad, Al-Hasakah, Qamishli, Al-Malikiyah and Ra's al-'Ayn in the east.