Dozens of rebels killed trying to break Homs siege: reportJanuary 10, 2014 - 09:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Forces loyal to the Syrian government have reportedly killed dozens of rebels who were trying to break an army siege of parts of Homs, in central Syria, BBC News reported. State-owned news agency Sana said troops killed 37 "terrorists" in one operation alone and several others in other attacks. UK-based activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 45 rebels were killed. Syria's civil war has left at least 100,000 people dead. The army's siege of rebel-held areas in Homs's Old City has lasted more than a year. Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said the number of dead could be higher. "They were killed as they tried to launch an operation to end the siege of Homs. They were ambushed by regime forces near the Khaldiya neighbourhood, which is under government control," he told AFP news agency. Several thousand civilians are believed to be trapped by the siege. In October, activists reported severe food and energy shortages in the besieged areas and warned that residents faced starvation. 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. |