Activists say rebel infighting spreads in SyriaJanuary 6, 2014 - 14:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian activists say rebel infighting that swept opposition-held areas of the country's north has spread a city in the east, a key stronghold of an al Qaeda-linked group. The recent rebel-on-rebel fighting in Syria is the strongest pushback yet by moderate and ultra-conservative rebels fighting to topple President Bashar Assad against radical extremist insurgents linked to al Qaeda. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the rebels are clashing on Monday, Jan 6, with fighters of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in eastern city of Raqqa, which has long been an ISIL stronghold. The infighting erupted in the northern provinces of Aleppo and Idlib on Friday and has been spreading since. The push to the east suggests the rebels are preparing to overrun the ISIL completely. Related links: 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |