Syrian army repels IS counter-attack on key airbase near AleppoMay 13, 2017 - 17:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) on Saturday, May 13 thwarted an assault by the Islamic State militants on the strategic Jirrah Airbase in eastern Aleppo countryside, Al-Masdar News reports. The military installation was retaken by SAA’s elite Tiger Forces division on Friday, after two days of violent clashes against IS jihadists. Soon after retreating from the airbase, IS launched a counter-attack in a bid to restore control over the territory they had lost. Violent clashes outbroke as a result along the airport’s perimeter and also in nearby villages of Jirrah Kabirah and Jirrah Saghirah. Intense firefighting activities continued till Saturday’s noon and resulted in complete withdrawal of IS jihadists after they had not been able to break through SAA’s defenses. Having lost control over Jirrah Airbase, IS militants are likely to withdraw their main forces further southward, towards Maskanah Plains, which means that their defense lines in Aleppo province totally collapsed. 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 | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. 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. |