Scores of Islamist fighters in army ambush near DamascusFebruary 26, 2014 - 16:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Scores of Islamist fighters were killed in an army ambush in the Eastern Ghouta area of the Syrian capital Damascus, the national news agency SANA said on Wednesday, Feb 26. Lebanon's Al Manar television said the attack was near the town of Otaiba and that the death toll may have been higher than 170. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, said at least 70 fighters had been killed but the number could be much higher. The Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources across Syria, said fighters from the Shi'ite group Hezbollah carried out the ambush in cooperation with Syrian government forces. "Hezbollah was the main group that implemented the ambush," Reuters quoted Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Observatory, as saying. Hezbollah has sent fighters to support the Syrian leader, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam. Sunni militants from Lebanon, Iraq and other countries have also entered Syria to fight on behalf of the largely Sunni rebellion. 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 | Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills |