Syria's Defense Minister reportedly starts official visit to IranApril 28, 2015 - 13:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syria's Defense Minister has started an official visit to its major ally Iran as the head of a military delegation, Lebanon's al-Manar television said on Tuesday, April 28, according to Reuters. It gave no further details on the visit of Fahad Jassim al-Freij, but it comes as the Syrian military is facing increased pressure from insurgent groups on the ground in Syria. Al-Manar is run by Lebanon's Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group which is also an ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Reuters says it was not immediately possible to confirm the visit with Syrian officials and Syrian state media did not report it. On the battlefield, the Syrian military has been losing ground to insurgents who are edging closer to the coastal province of Latakia, an important government-held stronghold. On Monday an alliance of Islamist rebels seized an army base in the northwestern province of Idlib, days after capturing a key town there. Insurgents are attempting to push the Syrian military out of the province completely after seizing the provincial capital last month. 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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |