23 Al Qaeda-linked militants killed in YemenJune 8, 2012 - 13:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yemeni officials say at least 23 Al Qaeda-linked militants have been killed in fighting in the country's south, AP reported. The confrontations come during Yemen's campaign to retake parts of the south from Al Qaeda following a year of internal turmoil. Military officials say Al Qaeda militants tried to storm a small town north of the group's stronghold of Jaar in Abyan province on Thursday. Armed civilians along with soldiers backed by artillery fought off the Al Qaeda militants, officials said. At least 20 were killed in the battle Also in the south, warplanes bombed a vehicle suspected to belong to Al Qaeda on the road between Jaar and another Al Qaeda stronghold — Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan, killing three militants. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |