Al-Qaeda affiliate takes control of southern Yemeni town: officialsFebruary 1, 2016 - 13:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yemeni security officials say a local al-Qaeda affiliate has seized a town from southern separatists, setting up checkpoints at its entrances and besieging government buildings, the Associated Press reports. The officials said Monday, February 1 that al-Qaeda gunmen in pickups seized the entrances of the town of Azzan and stormed the city council. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief reporters. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP as the group is known, has widened its reach amid a civil war pitting a loose array of forces backing Yemen's internationally recognized government against Shiite Houthi rebels and troops loyal to a former president. AQAP seized the southern port city of Mukalla and the southern town of Jaar last year. 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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |