Blast damages key oil pipeline in northern IraqJune 9, 2012 - 18:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A key oil pipeline in northern Iraq was damaged Saturday, June 9 in what officials said was an act of sabotage, Trend News reported citing dpa. Explosives planted under the pipeline transporting crude from the Bai Hassan oil field were detonated, causing major damage, said Hassan Abdullah, a security official in the northern city of Kirkuk. The oil field north of Kirkuk produces 170,000 to 190,000 barrels per day, according to official figures. Oil fields in northern Iraq are linked to the main pipeline network that transports crude from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan. Oil flow from the pipeline was briefly halted in April following an attack. 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 | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |