Iraq clashes leave 15 dead - mayorApril 24, 2013 - 19:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 15 people were killed in clashes between Iraqi security forces and militants on Wednesday, April 24 in the northern town of Sulaiman Pek, the mayor of a nearby town said, according to Reuters. Four army helicopters were bombing the center of Sulaiman Pek 160 km (100 miles) north of the capital Baghdad, to drive gunmen out of the town, witnesses told Reuters by telephone. "The clashes between Iraqi security forces and the militants started last night," said Shalal Abed, the mayor of Tuz Khurmato via phone from Sulaiman Pek. He said the two sides were still fighting. Ten militants and five soldiers were among the dead, he said. Thousands of Sunnis have held weekly rallies since December to protest against what they see as marginalization by Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government and security forces who they say have unfairly targeted them. Government forces' raid on a Sunni Muslim protest camp in the town of Hawija on Tuesday triggered fierce clashes there and stoked fears of renewed violence. 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 | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |