Syria airport fighting kills 150 – activistsFebruary 15, 2013 - 19:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Heavy fighting for control of the international airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo and a major military air base nearby has killed some 150 rebels and government soldiers over the past two days, activists say, according to Belfast Telegraph. The director of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul-Rahman, said the casualties are almost evenly divided between opposition fighters and troops loyal to President Bashar Assad. Rebels launched a major attack on Aleppo's civilian airport and the adjacent Nairab airfield on Wednesday. So far, they have captured most of the "Brigade 80" base, responsible for protecting the area, as well as an army checkpoint. The airport itself and the military airfield, which have their own defences as well, both remain in regime hands. Today, the Observatory and the Local Co-ordination Committees activist group said rebels and President Bashar Assad's forces were shelling each other in renewed clashes. Control of Aleppo international airport and Nairab would be a huge strategic shift for Syria's north-eastern region, giving the opposition a potential air hub enabling aid and other flights. 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 | Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. CSTO recognizes Armenia’s sovereign right to withdraw Tasmagambetov has said that if Armenia decides to leave the organization, “it will be the sovereign right of Armenia.” Ex-President: Only removal of “defeatist” rulers can save Armenia Former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Pashinyan: We must stop searching for homeland, we have found that homeland Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has shared a message on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. |