Many civilians feared dead as rebels capture town near DamascusDecember 13, 2013 - 18:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria's state media and an opposition activist group said many civilians are feared dead in a town near Damascus after parts of it were captured by Islamic rebels, according to the Associated Press. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it has documented the names of 19 civilians killed by hard-liners over the past two days in Adra, northeast of Damascus. The Observatory says the civilians were minority Alawite and Druse. Syrian Minister of Social Affairs Kinda Shammat described on Friday what happened in Adra as a "massacre." Shammat told Syrian TV that the army was now carrying out an operation in the area, an industrial section of the town. Related links: 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 | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |