Turkey arrests al-Qaeda members, seizes explosivesMarch 1, 2013 - 15:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In a counterterrorism operation carried out by the Turkish police, 11 al-Qaeda members were captured with 22 kilograms of A4 explosives, after reportedly planning to stage terrorist attacks on targets in Istanbul, including the U.S. Consulate, a synagogue and a church, Today’s Zaman reported. According to Tekirdağ Police Department, a person suspected of being linked to al-Qaeda had been tracked by police for two years. During this period, police found out that a group of al-Qaeda members had cell houses in the Çorlu district of Tekirdağ and the Büyülçekmece district of Istanbul. Operation was launched after Tekirdağ police discovered that suspects had obtained a large amount of explosives in mid-February. Police raided nine houses in Çorlu and two in Büyükçekmece. A total of 11 people were captured with 22 kilograms of A4 explosives, five rifles, five handguns and maps showing the detailed location of the U.S. Consulate in Istanbul along with a church and a synagogue in Istanbul’s Fatih district. 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |