U.S.-backed forces seize IS-held town near Syria's RaqqaJune 3, 2017 - 14:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S.-backed forces captured a town west of Raqqa from Islamic State on Friday, June 2 as they push toward the militants' Syrian stronghold, a security source and a monitoring group said, according to Reuters. The United States said this week it started distributing weapons to Kurdish YPG militiamen who form a key part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance which Washington is backing in its fight against the jihadists. "It's been around three days that the SDF has been attacking al-Mansoura. Today, from two sides, they entered, and it was liberated," a security source close to the SDF told Reuters. The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said al-Mansoura was the largest town in the western Raqqa countryside. There were still some clashes taking place around pockets of IS resistance in the town, it said. The SDF, which includes the YPG and Syrian Arab fighting groups, said last month it expected to storm Raqqa in early summer as part of a multi-phased offensive. The alliance has advanced in recent months to within several kilometers (miles) of the center of Raqqa, although their gains have taken longer than predicted with fierce resistance from IS. Fighting since late last year has displaced tens of thousands of people according to United Nations sources, many of whom head for camps in the area. The families of Islamic State fighters have fled the U.S.-backed offensive, including for neighboring Deir al-Zor province, another IS stronghold, the Observatory says. The U.S.-led coalition backs the SDF with air strikes and military advisors on the ground. 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 | 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. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |