 Syrian forces storming rebel stronghold of Qusair May 19, 2013 - 16:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian government forces have surrounded the rebel stronghold of Qusair and are storming it from several directions, says Syrian state TV, according to BBC News. Fighting has gone on around the town, near the Lebanese border, for weeks. Opposition groups say militants from the Lebanese Hezbollah movement are fighting alongside government forces. Correspondents say Qusair has strategic value for both sides. If the government retakes it, it would ensure access from the capital to the coast. Russia, a key ally of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, has a small naval maintenance facility at the Syrian deep-water port of Tartus. News of the assault on Qusair came as Assad vowed to continue the "fight against terrorism".   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 |  Latest 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. |
