Syrian army retakes control of airbase near DamascusDecember 14, 2015 - 15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian army, backed by local militia forces, has regained control of the Mardj-al-Sultan military airbase outside Damascus, a source in the militia told RIA Novosti Monday, December 14, Sputnik International reports. “Marj al-Sultan Airbase has been freed. Terrorists from the al-Nusra Front and the Jaish al-Islam have retreated towards Hush al-Salehi. Dozens of militants have been killed,” the source told RIA Novosti. The Mardj-al-Sultan airbase is located in Douma, a town 18 kilometers from Damascus. It served as a major stronghold for the Jaish al-Islam terrorist group. According to the source, the Syrian army and militia have managed to establish a security zone around the airbase. Army engineers are demining the area. An earlier reports suggested that the Syrian army has launched an offensive near Kessab, liberating Al-Zahi Mountain, as well as all the hills and woods on Kessab-Latakia highway that the militant groups used for deploying snipers and shelling the region. "The recapture of Turkmen mountain (Jabal al-Turkmen) by the Syrian forces played a significant role in reopening the highway," a military source said, according to Fars news agency. 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. |