Islamic State takes control of new areas in Syria’s eastJanuary 18, 2016 - 17:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Opposition activists say Islamic State fighters have captured new areas near the eastern Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, the Associated Press reports. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the militants captured areas just north of the city on Monday, January 18 including an army base and an arms depot in the village of Ayash. Another opposition activist, Omar Abu Leila, says IS fighters captured Ayash, which is just north of another town that IS captured over the weekend. IS controls most of Deir ez-Zor province and much of the capital with the same name, while the government controls several districts in the northern part of the city and the adjacent military airport. Syria's government said Sunday that IS killed 300 people in an "appalling massacre" in the city of Deir ez-Zor over the weekend. 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. |