Syrian rebels claim full control of captured military baseDecember 11, 2012 - 13:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An activist group says Syrian rebels are in full control of a sprawling military base they stormed two days earlier and have killed 35 government troops in the fighting, The Associated Press reported. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the battle for the Sheik Suleiman base near the northern city of Aleppo ended on Tuesday, Dec 11, after the rebels took over the base's main compound and warehouses. The rebels first entered the base on Sunday afternoon, after weeks of fighting with soldiers loyal to President Bashar Assad. The Observatory says that in addition to the 35 soldiers killed, the rebels also wounded or captured 64 government troops in the base. The Observatory relies on a network of activists inside Syria. Syria's 20-month conflict has killed more than 40,000 people. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. Armenia, India hold first defense consultations The meeting was attended by Indian Ambassador Nilakshi Saha Sinha and Defense Attaché Brigadier General Naveen Nijhawan. |