At least 16 killed as Syrian air force bombs Deraa provinceJune 17, 2015 - 10:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least 16 people, including 13 children, were killed when Syrian air force jets bombed a town in Deraa province on Tuesday, June 16 activists say, according to BBC News. Those killed were attending lessons on the Koran in Ghariyah, locals told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group. Syrian government officials have not commented on reports of the attack. More than 230,000 Syrians have died in the civil war, which began after anti-government protests in March 2011. Syrian rebels have been making gains in recent weeks against government forces in Deraa province, which was where unrest over President Bashar al-Assad's rule first erupted four years ago. The town of Ghariyah lies near the eastern edge of Deraa province, not far from the location of a military base that rebel fighters seized from the regime a week ago. The Syrian Observatory said the death toll from Tuesday's strikes was expected to rise further because a number of those injured were in serious condition. Rebels also briefly overrun the nearby al-Thalaa air base, before government forces eventually retook it. Earlier on Tuesday, the United States accused Syria's government of using chemical weapons in the form of chlorine-filled barrel bomb attacks. Photo: Reuters 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |