Senior Iraqi general killed in Baghdad battleJuly 7, 2014 - 17:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior Iraqi general was killed in fighting with insurgents close to Baghdad on Monday, July 7 as the army fights to hold militant Sunni Islamists back from the capital, Reuters reported. Major General Negm Abdullah Ali, commander of the army's sixth division, responsible for defending part of Baghdad, "met martyrdom on the battlefield as he was fighting ... terrorists", Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said in a statement. Ali was killed "when mortar rounds fell" in the Ibrahim Bin Ali area, about 16 km (10 miles) northwest of Baghdad, the office of Maliki's military spokesman said later. Ibrahim Bin Ali has been fought over for months because of its proximity to Shi'ite districts of Baghdad. Security forces have been in a standoff with rebels in the area since the city of Fallujah, some 70 km (45 miles) west of Baghdad, was overrun by earlier this year. Insurgents led by a group called the Islamic State seized large parts of northern and western Iraq last month and have threatened to move on Baghdad. Photo: The Washington Post 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. |