50 000 Turkish soldiers concentrated at Turk-Iraqi border regionMay 15, 2007 - 17:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 50 000 Turkish soldiers now concentrated at Turk-Iraqi border region of Sirnak. According to military sources a large operation by Turkish military forces aimed at PKK (Worker's Party of Kurdistan) terrorists in the provinces of Sirnak near the Iraqi border continues. Units of the Turkish military are fighting in the Cudi and Gabar mountains, as well as the Bestler-Dereler points near Sirnak. New position have been staked out by Turkish armed forces near the border, taking the border into direct target in preparation for terrorists trying to cross over. While the transfer of soldiers and vehicles to the border area continues, as it has for 3 months now. U.S. Ambassador to Ankara Ross Wilson stated the United States supports the Turkish military operation in its pursuit of PKK terrorists. "Turkey has been in a leader position for a long time in the fight against terror. It has faced terror on a high level for a long time. Turkey has lost 40 thousand lives fighting in the last years," Wilson stated speaking at an anti-terrorism conference held this week at the Swissotel in Istanbul. Speaking in direct reference to the renewed efforts by Turkish security forces against PKK forces last week, Wilson said, "In recent weeks, the Turkish security forces began an open struggle against the PKK. The U.S. supports this struggle," Ross Wilson underlined, Hurriyet reports. 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. |