Russian sappers defuse over 120 explosive devices in PalmyraMarch 18, 2017 - 17:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian sappers began demining the historical part and residential quarters in Syria’s Palmyra. Within the first day of work, they found more than 120 explosive devices and two ammunition depots, Colonel Valery Ovdiyenko, commander of the mine clearance detachment of the Russian Armed Forces’ International Mine Action Center, told reporters, according to TASS. "The detachment’s personnel has begun demining Palmyra’s historical part and residential areas. Work has been arranged on the outskirts of the city and in its historical part and inside it. Within the first five or six hours of work, the personnel defused more than 120 explosive objects," he said. According to Ovdiyenko, two ammunition depots have already been found in the city. He noted that the sappers are doing their utmost to preserve the infrastructure, including the city’s historical part. "Everything that can be taken out destroyed out of the city, is taken out of it," he noted. The sappers are to check about 900 hectares of territory. It is planned to complete the demining operation within a month or a month and a half. "There are many landmines in the city. The facilities of historical significance have been mined as well," Ovdiyenko added. Militants of the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia) captured Palmyra in May 2015. In late March 2016, the Syrian military supported by Russian aircraft liberated the city, but last December, Palmyra was again in the hands of extremists. On March 2, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin that the operation to liberate the city had been completed. On March 10, Russia’s General Staff said that the first detachment of nearly 200 Russian sappers arrived in Palmyra. 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 | Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. |