Dozens killed in air strikes on Syria’s Idlib marketsApril 20, 2016 - 13:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 44 people have been killed and dozens hurt in Syrian government air strikes on markets in two rebel-held towns in Idlib province, activists say, according to BBC News. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 37 died in Maarat al-Numan and another seven in nearby Kafranbel. The monitoring group added that three children were among the victims and the death toll was expected to rise. Escalating violence in the country in recent days has left a seven-week partial truce on the verge of collapse. Earlier, the head of the main Syrian opposition umbrella group said it had suspended its formal participation in UN-led peace talks in Geneva in protest at alleged government violations. The peace talks were already shaky, having been threatened by fighting in the city of Aleppo. Riad Hijab declared that the High Negotiations Committee could not take part while people were dying. The process, he said, was only increasing their suffering. The Syrian government has accused rebel forces of violating the truce. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted that the peace talks were "not frozen". He said a government delegation and other groups were still taking part. Lavrov told a press conference in France that "external players" were trying to destabilise the talks and damage the Damascus government. 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. |