Iraqi Kurdistan, Syrian Kurds close border, official saysMarch 17, 2016 - 10:47 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Syria was closed on Wednesday, March 16, Reuters cited a Syrian Kurdish official as saying. The border between al-Malikiya in Syria's Hassakeh province and Fishkhabur in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region closed in the afternoon, said Abdullah Sa'adoun, communications officer for the Syrian Kurdish internal security forces, known as the Asayish. Sa'adoun did not give a reason for the closure, but said it was closed by the Iraqi side. The closure comes on the same day that Syrian Kurds had been expected to announce the combining of three Kurdish-led areas of northern Syria into a federal arrangement. An Iraqi Kurdish official who asked not to be identified told Reuters that he was not aware of a political decision to close the border and that it had happened a number of times before for technical or security reasons. The crossing is located in a sensitive area at the intersection of the Syrian, Iraqi and Turkish borders, Reuters says. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based organization that monitors the Syrian conflict, also said the border was shut from the Iraqi side. Observatory Director Rami Abdulrahman said that the border is often closed, and the reason for this closure is not known. 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 | The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |