Syrian government blamed for "chemical weapons attack"December 24, 2015 - 12:53 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least five people have been killed in a suspected chemical weapons attack outside the Syrian capital, Damascus, opposition activists say, according to BBC News. The victims reportedly suffocated to death after government rockets and barrel bombs struck the rebel-held suburb of Muadhamiya on Tuesday, December 22. Purported videos of the aftermath of the attack show several bodies with no visible external injuries. But one security source denied that the military had used chemical weapons. Hundreds were killed when rockets filled with the nerve agent sarin were fired at Muadhamiya and other Damascus suburbs in 2013. Western powers said only the government could have been responsible, but it blamed the rebels. The Local Co-ordination Committees, an opposition activist network, said 10 people had died after "rockets loaded with chemicals" were fired at Muadhamiya on Tuesday night, while a local activist told the Associated Press that five were killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitoring group, reported that the government's bombardment of the suburb with barrel bombs and rockets had killed or wounded 28 people, with all but five suffering breathing difficulties, BBC says. 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. |