Islamic State takes control of new areas in Syria’s eastJanuary 18, 2016 - 17:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Opposition activists say Islamic State fighters have captured new areas near the eastern Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, the Associated Press reports. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the militants captured areas just north of the city on Monday, January 18 including an army base and an arms depot in the village of Ayash. Another opposition activist, Omar Abu Leila, says IS fighters captured Ayash, which is just north of another town that IS captured over the weekend. IS controls most of Deir ez-Zor province and much of the capital with the same name, while the government controls several districts in the northern part of the city and the adjacent military airport. Syria's government said Sunday that IS killed 300 people in an "appalling massacre" in the city of Deir ez-Zor over the weekend. 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. |