Syrian army repels IS counter-attack on key airbase near AleppoMay 13, 2017 - 17:02 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) on Saturday, May 13 thwarted an assault by the Islamic State militants on the strategic Jirrah Airbase in eastern Aleppo countryside, Al-Masdar News reports. The military installation was retaken by SAA’s elite Tiger Forces division on Friday, after two days of violent clashes against IS jihadists. Soon after retreating from the airbase, IS launched a counter-attack in a bid to restore control over the territory they had lost. Violent clashes outbroke as a result along the airport’s perimeter and also in nearby villages of Jirrah Kabirah and Jirrah Saghirah. Intense firefighting activities continued till Saturday’s noon and resulted in complete withdrawal of IS jihadists after they had not been able to break through SAA’s defenses. Having lost control over Jirrah Airbase, IS militants are likely to withdraw their main forces further southward, towards Maskanah Plains, which means that their defense lines in Aleppo province totally collapsed. 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. |