Electricity restored in Syrian capital as fighting ragesFebruary 17, 2013 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Electricity has been restored in most parts of the Syrian capital and power will gradually reach the south, a top Syrian government official said Sunday, February 17 as fighting raged in at least three provinces between rebels and troops loyal to President Bashar Assad, AP reported. The Syrian capital's 2.5 million residents have grown used to frequent power cuts as the country's nearly 2-year-old conflict has damaged infrastructure and sapped government revenue. A fuel shortage makes it hard for residents to run backup generators. The power outage plunged Damascus into darkness late Saturday and affected much of southern Syria, mainly the provinces of Daraa and Sweida along the Jordanian border. Electricity Minister Imad Khamis told the state news agency, SANA, that technical teams were working around the clock to restore power in the south. He blamed the blackout on an unspecified fault in high-tension lines. A similar blackout struck the same areas on Jan. 20. The government blamed that outage on a rebel attack, and power was restored to most areas the following day. Also on Sunday, a Britain-based rights group reported that at least six rebel field fighters were killed in clashes with Assad's army in the suburbs of the capital, the northern province of Hama and the southern restive town of Daraa. In Hama's suburbs, rebels with the Free Syrian Army took over a police checkpoint and destroyed an army tank, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UN says nearly 70,000 people have been killed in Syria's conflict since the revolt began in March 2011. 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. |