IS attacks displaced people in Syria’s north-eastMay 2, 2017 - 16:22 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Many civilians and Kurdish-led fighters are reported to have been killed or wounded in clashes with Islamic State militants in north-eastern Syria, BBC News reports. The militants targeted displaced people near Shaddadi, in Hassakeh province, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and pro-government al-Mayadeen TV say. They put the death toll at more than 25, but Syria's official Sana news agency reported only one death. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces alliance is battling IS in the area. The force controls large parts of Hassakeh province and will soon launch an offensive to retake the de facto IS capital of Raqqa, 150km (95 miles) to the west. Photo: AFP 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 | 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. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. |