Iraqi forces push Islamic State fighters out of key western townMarch 7, 2015 - 09:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraqi forces have pushed Islamic State (IS) fighters out of the western town of al-Baghdadi, the U.S. military says, according to BBC News. The town, which was taken over by IS last month, is about 8km (5 miles) from a base housing hundreds of U.S. troops who are training Iraqi soldiers. Iraqi forces moved in after "precise and effective" air strikes by the U.S.-led coalition, a statement said. Meanwhile, IS was widely condemned on Friday, March 6 after it bulldozed the ancient Assyrian city of Nimrud in Iraq. IS began demolishing the site, which was founded in the 13th Century BC, on Thursday, according to Iraqi officials. The head of the UN's cultural agency condemned the "systematic" destruction in Iraq as a "war crime". IS, which controls large areas of Iraq and Syria, says shrines and statues are "false idols" that have to be smashed. Nimrud lies on the Tigris river, about 30km (18 miles) south-east of Mosul, which is under IS control. Photo: AFP 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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |