IS militants seize part of World Heritage-listed city of Palmyra in SyriaMay 20, 2015 - 16:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Islamic State fighters have seized the northern part of the ancient World Heritage-listed city of Palmyra in Syria, a monitoring group has said, according to BBC News. Militants seized part of the town of Tadmur located on a strategic east-west route next to Palmyra last weekend but had been pushed back from the ruins. Palmyra contains the ruins of one of the most important cultural centers of the ancient world, according to UNESCO. It is feared IS fighters may now damage or destroy the site. Syria's antiquities chief said the insurgents would destroy the ancient ruins if they took control. The group has demolished similar antiquities in Iraq, seeing them as symbols of idolatry. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said a third of Palmyra had been taken. Photo: AFP 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. |