Mali officials ask for UN air support to fight Islamic extremistsMarch 5, 2016 - 17:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Malian officials have asked for air support from visiting members of the United Nations Security Council to help dislodge jihadis in the central Mopti region, the Associated Press reports. The manager for the Mopti governor's office, Boukari Koita, said Saturday, March 5 that local officials made the request during the visit by 15 members of the U.N. Security Council ahead of a June vote on extending the mandate of the UN mission in Mali. The members will next visit the northern city of Timbuktu. Mali's north and central regions are sites of instability. The Mopti region is known to be a stronghold for the Macina Liberation Front, an Islamic extremist group that claimed responsibility for several attacks on the army last year. 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. |