“Largest ever” evacuations from besieged Syrian towns carried outApril 21, 2016 - 12:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Relief agencies have been evacuating 500 wounded people from four besieged Syrian towns, in what has been described as the largest such operation so far in the five-year conflict, BBC News reports. Half are coming from towns blockaded by pro-government forces, and half from towns blocked off by rebels. A UN chief in Syria said he had been told the operation had been successfully carried out. Meanwhile, peace talks that started in Geneva a week ago are in difficulty. It is not clear whether a partial truce that has lasted seven weeks so far will hold. Opposition representatives walked out of the talks this week, blaming government violations of the ceasefire. Activists said government air strikes on Tuesday had killed 40 people in rebel-held areas. 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. |