Militants attack Yemeni army baseFebruary 4, 2012 - 17:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Militants attacked a Yemeni army base in the country's south, a local official said on Saturday, February 4 highlighting a security breakdown just weeks ahead of a presidential election aimed at ending a year of political upheaval, Reuters reported. One militant was killed in the attack on Friday night on the base on the outskirts of Lawdar in Abyan province, the official said. Explosions and heavy exchanges of gunfire were heard throughout the city, residents said. Lawdar was the site of a U.S. drone strike that killed at least 12 militants earlier this week amid a swell of violence in the south, where Islamist fighters suspected of links to al Qaeda have seized several towns. Weakened by a year of protests against outgoing President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's government is facing challenges from al Qaeda-linked militants who have seized territory in the south and frequently attack state troops and offices. The United States and Saudi Arabia fear al Qaeda's regional wing is strengthening its foothold there, near oil shipping routes through the Red Sea. Separately but also in Abyan, gunmen opened fire on a group of tribesmen, killing one and wounding two. Some tribes have joined forces with the army to try to regain territory grabbed by militants. Saleh's opponents accuse him of manipulating the threat of militancy to scare Washington and Riyadh into backing him as the only bulwark against an al Qaeda takeover in the impoverished state. An election to choose Saleh's successor is scheduled to take place later this month. Both southern separatists and rebels in the north have said they will boycott the vote, and militants last week attacked an office of the electoral committee. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. 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. |