Kurdish troops capture four IS-controlled villages near the EuphratesOctober 10, 2017 - 13:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Over the past 24 hours, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have swept across the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, brushing aside all Islamic State resistance in the process, Al-Masdar News reports. According to a Kurdish military source close to Al-Masdar News, the SDF has captured the villages of Zughayr Kabeera, Huwayj Diyab, Abu Ghaminah and Muhaymidah in a 10 kilometer southwards thrust along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. Meanwhile, preliminary reports indicate the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has simultaneously captured the eastern side of the destroyed Al-Siyasah bridge on Tuesday morning after advancing from the newly liberated village of Hatlah Fokkani. If this proves to be the case, the SAA has finally completed the encirclement of jihadist forces in the provincial capital of Deir ez-Zor, thereby cutting them off from the Islamic State heartland. With two rival anti-IS offensives, known as the ‘Big Dawn’ and ‘Al-Jazirah Storm’, unfolding in Deir ez-Zor, both the SAA and SDF hope to landgrab as much oil-rich territory in eastern Syria as possible. 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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |