Norway to send 120 soldiers to join campaign against IS in IraqOctober 30, 2014 - 23:41 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Norway's Prime Minister says her country will send 120 soldiers this year to join the international campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and help train local troops there. Another 75 Norwegian soldiers will go to Afghanistan next year, the Associated Press reports. Describing the Islamic extremists' attacks against civilians and children as "shocking," Prime Minister Erna Solberg said the Scandinavian nation cannot ignore Iraq's plea for international help. She said Thursday, Oct 30, that Norwegian soldiers would not take part in any fighting but would train and assist local security forces. The troops are expected in Iraq later this year to join a training center in the Kurdish regional capital of Erbil and one in Baghdad. Norwegian soldiers will be deployed in Afghanistan early next year in and around the capital, Kabul. 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 | 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. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |