Boko Haram denies Nigerian authorities’ claims of defeating insurgencySeptember 21, 2015 - 15:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram denied claims by the authorities of winning the six-year war against insurgency after the army said it was pushing “for the final defeat,” of the militants, Bloomberg reports. “We are still at battle ground,” Abubakar Shekau, the leader of terrorist group said in audio recording posted on YouTube that couldn’t immediately be verified. Comments by the military are “propaganda” and “lies,” he said in Hausa language dismissing claims the group would be flushed out before the end of the year as ordered by the President. Nigerian military said Saturday it “captured” the villages of Jerre and Dipchari in northeast Borno State and rescued 62 people fleeing from Bitti and Pulka villages as it pushed “for the final defeat of the Boko Haram terrorists.” President Muhammadu Buhari who came to power in May replaced the heads of the country’s army, navy and air force in July and ordered them to end the insurgency in three months. “Buhari said he is going to finish with us in three months. You did not finish with us; there is a lot more to do you Nigerians, you Chadians, you Cameroonians,” Shekau said in the audio recording. The Boko Haram insurgency, which aims to establish a strict version of Islamic law in Africa’s largest economy and oil producer, has left thousands of people dead. Its cross-border attacks drew Cameroon, Niger and Chad into a regional military campaign. 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 | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |