UK to train moderate Syrian opposition in TurkeyMarch 26, 2015 - 15:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Britain will train Syrian "moderate opposition forces" in Turkey and other regional countries as part of international efforts to fight Islamic State (IS or ISIL) militants, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon announced on Thursday, March 26, according to AFP. About 75 military trainers and staff will provide training in areas such as the use of small arms, infantry tactics and medical skills, as part of a U.S.-led training program that is expected to begin within weeks. "Defeating ISIL ultimately lies with local forces and we are helping to create effective ground forces in Syria, as well as in Iraq, so they can take the fight to ISIL," Fallon said, using an acronym used to refer to the IS group. Britain is already training Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Iraq, and in December, Fallon said the numbers of personnel deployed was expected to be in "the very low hundreds". The Syrian forces will be trained in Turkey and other regional countries that are part of the international coalition against IS militants, who last year took over swathes of Iraq and Syria and announced a "caliphate". "Britain remains at the forefront of coalition military efforts to support the Iraqi government in their fight against ISIL," Fallon said in a statement to parliament. "This effective and closely coordinated activity in conjunction with Iraqi and Kurdish ground forces has largely stalled the terrorists' advances. But ISIL must be defeated in both Iraq and Syria." Fallon also announced that Britain would be sending two Sentinel aircraft to the region to provide surveillance of IS activity in Iraq, and track the laying of bombs. British Tornado jets and Reaper remotely controlled aircraft have so far conducted 194 strikes over Iraq, although the government has declined to join strikes in Syria. Britain joined the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, which overthrew dictator Saddam Hussein, but Prime Minister David Cameron has ruled out sending combat troops back. 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 | 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. |