Turkish jets, artillery strike Islamic State, PKK targetsJuly 11, 2016 - 11:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish jets and artillery struck 10 Islamic State targets as they were preparing to fire on Turkey, the country's General Staff said Sunday, July 10, according to the Associated Press. U.S.-led coalition jets and Turkish howitzers hit IS rocket and mortar batteries stationed in north Syria's Dabik region late Saturday night. Eight militants were reportedly killed in the operation, the General Staff said. IS has recently stepped up its attacks against Turkey, with a suicide attack late last month at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport which killed dozens and injured hundreds. Meanwhile, Turkish jets also struck seven Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, targets in Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari. Airstrikes regularly target PKK positions in Turkey and northern Iraq, while fighting and curfews continue in several southeastern towns, AP says. On Sunday, a roadside bomb in the Semdinli district of Hakkari killed five soldiers, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, which blamed the attack on PKK rebels. Nearly 600 Turkish security personnel have been killed by the PKK since a 2½-year cease-fire ended in July 2015. 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 | 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. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |