Syrian Army seeks control of key town in southern AleppoNovember 24, 2017 - 12:14 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian army achieved a major breakthrough overnight after a week-long series of back-and-forth clashes in the southern countryside of Aleppo with Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian jihadist militia with close ties to Al-Qaeda, Al-Masdar News reports. The army managed to impose full control over Al-Rashadiyah in the early hours of Friday, November 24. This is a key town and is located a few kilometers west of the main government supply line leading to Aleppo City. At the moment, the Syrian army is trying to fortify Al-Rashadiyah in order to prevent an HTS counter-offensive. In addition, reports indicate that government forces have reached the outskirts of HTS-controlled Ramlah, an imperative town en route to Abu Dahur Airbase, the long-term strategic offensive of the Syrian army’s ongoing offensive which is led by Major General Muhammad Khaddour. The HTS defensive line in southern Aleppo was said to have buckled due to simultaneous offensives by the army on two flanks in the neighboring Hama governorate, rendering jihadist forces unable to defend all areas at once. 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 | 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. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |