Sudan rebels claim downing of govt. aircraftNovember 8, 2012 - 14:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rebels in Sudan's main oil state said on Thursday, Nov 8, they had shot down a government Antonov military aircraft after it had bombed targets in the Nuba mountains, part of South Kordofan state, according to Reuters. Sudan's armed forces spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Insurgents of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement North (SPLM-N) said in an emailed statement they had downed the aircraft around 5 pm (1400 GMT) on Wednesday in South Kordofan's Jau area, near the border with South Sudan. It was not immediately possible to verify the claim. Sudan restricts access for journalists to South Kordofan, where fighting between rebels and government forces broke out shortly before South Sudan seceded last year. "Before it was downed, it (the Antonov) carried out air strikes on various areas in the Nuba mountains," the SPLM-N statement said, referring to an area in South Kordofan. Rebels in South Kordofan fought alongside southern insurgents during Sudan's civil war but were left in Sudan when South Sudan seceded under the 2005 peace deal that ended that long-running conflict. They say they are fighting to protect their ethnic minority from persecution. Khartoum accuses them of trying to sow chaos at South Sudan's behest. 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |