Kurdish TAK militants claims responsibility for deadly Ankara attackMarch 17, 2016 - 12:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK), a militant group active in Turkey, claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack that killed 37 people in the capital Ankara, according to a statement on its website on Thursday, March 17, Reuters reports. The group described the car bombing, which occurred on Sunday, as "vengeful action" for security operations in the mainly Kurdish southeast that have been underway since July, killing hundreds of civilians, security forces and militants. TAK previously claimed responsibility for a separate car bombing in Ankara last month that killed 29 people. TAK says it split from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Experts who follow Kurdish militants say the groups retain ties. 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. |