U.S. airstrikes destroy IS radio station in Afghanistan, kill 21 militantsFebruary 2, 2016 - 12:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. airstrikes on a remote region of Afghanistan have destroyed a radio station operated by the Islamic State group, American and Afghan officials said on Tuesday, February 2, according to the Associated Press. "Voice of the Caliphate" radio operated by Islamic State near the border with Pakistan was destroyed in U.S. two airstrikes, according to a U.S. military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media on the subject. In an official statement, U.S. Army Col. Mike Lawhorn, spokesman for the U.S.-NATO mission in Afghanistan, said: "U.S. forces conducted two counter-terrorism airstrikes in Achin district" in Nangarhar province late Monday. He had no further details. The radio station was broadcasting illegally across Nangarhar, spreading the group's extremist message, issuing threats to journalists in the provincial capital Jalalabad and attempting to recruit young men to its cause. The spokesman for the Nangarhar governor, Attaullah Khogyani, said the strikes had also killed 21 membersof IS group, including five who were working for the radio station. Radio is a powerful medium in Afghanistan, where most people do not have televisions, and only 10 percent of the population has access to the internet. In contrast, almost everyone has access to radio, with around 175 stations operating across the country. 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. |