Turkey’s Syrian refugees number tops 30000 – officialJune 15, 2012 - 18:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The number of Syrian refugees registered in Turkey has topped 30,000, a Turkish foreign ministry official told AFP on Friday, June 15, the agency reported. "Four hundred more Syrians crossed into Turkey on Thursday, bringing the total number to 30,800," said the official, who wished to remain anonymous. The refugees are accommodated in Turkish Red Crescent camps in the southeastern provinces of Hatay, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Kilis along the Syrian border. The influx of refugees comes as violence continues in Syria, particularly in northwestern villages close to the border. Turkish President Abdullah Gul told reporters on Friday that "Unfortunately the (current) situation is the worst in Syria," adding that the peace plan proposed by international mediator Kofi Annan appeared to have been sidelined by the regime. Turkey's government has repeatedly accused Damascus of playing for time by using Annan's peace plan as a pretext. World powers are groping to find a way to end the bloodshed in Syria with the toll growing daily despite the ceasefire that should have gone into effect from April 12, and there are reports of children being used as human shields. Monitoring groups say at least 14,400 people have been killed in the 15-month uprising against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, and UN peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous said this week he believed Syria was now in a civil war. Turkey, once a strong ally of Syria, broke with Damascus after Assad's regime began cracking down on dissent in March last year. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |