U.S. coalition warplanes reportedly bomb own alliesFebruary 16, 2018 - 18:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S.-led coalition warplanes have bombed partner forces amid heavy clashes near an Islamic State stronghold in the east Syrian province of Deir ez-Zor, according to reports by Islamic State-linked media. The blue-on-blue claim is the second such one to be made by the terrorist group within a week, Al-Masdar News says. According to the IS-linked Amaq media center, U.S.-led coalition airpower has mistakenly hit the positions of allied militias near the town of Ash-Sha’fah (currently under the control of Islamic State forces) in the southeastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor province. The reports come amid a large operation by U.S.-led coalition partner forces to eject IS terrorists from Ash-Sha’fah and its surrounding area. The town is, at present, witnessing heavy clashes at its eastern gates with Islamic State forces claiming to have killed eight US-backed fighters and captured another. Just less than one week ago, IS claimed that coalition jets struck friendly forces in the As-Sosa region of Deir ez-Zor near the Iraqi border – no comment was made by official American military sources. 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. |