Libya says IS driven out of nearly all of SirteDecember 5, 2016 - 18:34 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Libyan officials say allied fighters have driven Islamic State militants from the last street they held in the city of Sirte after months of fighting, but that clearing operations are still underway, The Associated Press reports. Sirte was the only major city held by IS outside of Iraq and Syria. A media official from the anti-IS operation confirmed the latest advance on Monday, December 5 but said at least 13 buildings with tunnels dug beneath them still need to be cleared. Another Libyan official confirmed that account. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. Misrata Hospital spokesman Akram Glawan says 711 Libyan fighters have been killed battling IS during the seven-month-long operation in Sirte and that another 3,200 have been wounded. 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 | Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. Ucom launches network modernization efforts in few regions of Armenia In particular, on March 28, the legacy Mobile Switching Subsystem will be replaced with a new one. |