Afghan Taliban capture crucial southern city of SanginMarch 23, 2017 - 16:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Taliban have captured the crucial southern Afghan city of Sangin after a year-long battle, officials say, according to BBC News. Afghan forces say they have made a tactical retreat from the centre of Sangin. A spokesman for Helmand's governor confirmed the district police and governor's headquarters were now in militant hands. Almost a quarter of British troops killed during the UK's combat mission in Afghanistan died defending Sangin. Hundreds of Afghan combatants have been killed there in recent fighting. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi said the insurgents captured the city overnight. A spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Defence said troops had been pulled back to the area's main garrison on the orders of the army chief of staff. Reports say foreign forces are bombarding the area, which has been fiercely fought over for more than a decade. On the road to the crucial Kajaki dam, Sangin was the scene of heavy British and U.S. military casualties before 2013. 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 | Director General of Ucom takes part in recruiting conference Ralph Yirikian participated in the Recruit Days business and networking conference organized by Move2Career. Ameriabank named Best Bank in Armenia for 2024 by Global Finance Ameriabank has been named the Best Bank in Armenia by Global Finance magazine in its 31st annual awards. Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. Lavrov rejects Armenia’s “defamation” of Russia, CSTO Lavrov decried the Armenian leaders’ “defamation” of Russian soldiers and border guards deployed in Armenia. |