U.S. base in eastern Afghanistan handed over to local commandosMarch 30, 2013 - 13:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior U.S. commander says American special operations forces have handed over their base in eastern Afghanistan's Nirkh district to local Afghan commandos — meeting a demand by Afghan President Hamid Karzai that U.S. forces withdraw from the district after allegations that their Afghan counterparts committed human rights abuses there, The Associated Press reports. Maj. Gen. Tony Thomas, who is the top U.S. special operations commander in Afghanistan, told the AP Saturday, March 30, that Afghan special forces have taken the Americans' place and will work alongside local Afghan policemen to keep insurgents from using the area to attack the capital Kabul. Thomas says U.S. commandos will continue to operate throughout the rest of Wardak province. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. |