Syrian govt. troops clashing with rebels outside DamascusApril 6, 2013 - 14:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Activists say Syrian government troops are clashing with rebels in a town outside Damascus, part of a belt of communities around the capital that have seen near-daily fighting in recent months, The Associated Press reports. Rebels have established footholds in neighborhoods on the edge of Damascus and in suburbs to the northeast and south. They hope to use these to storm the center of the city. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the fighting is concentrated around the town of Al Otaybah, east of Damascus. The group also says the southeastern Damascus suburb of Jaramana has been hit by several mortar rounds. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Damascus is the seat of President Bashar Assad’s power, and has been under his troops’ control throughout the two-year conflict. 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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |