Iraqi army kills more than 300 IS militants, liberates 31 Tal Afar districtsAugust 24, 2017 - 16:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Iraqi army has killed over 300 militants of the Daesh militant group (banned in Russia) and liberated 31 districts of the city of Tal Afar, Iraqi army spokesman Yahya Rasul said Thursday, August 22, according to Sputnik. "A total of 302 militants were killed, 31 districts of Tal Afar were liberated," Rasul told a joint press conference with spokesman for the US-led coalition US Army Col. Ryan Dillon. According to Rasul, there are no more than 2,000 Daesh militants in Tal Afar, who are mostly foreign fighters. "The militants in the city have no choice but to surrender or die," Rasul stressed, adding that no specific date was set for the end of the operation to liberate Tal Afar, which, however, will not be last long. Dillon, on his part, noted that all coalition's bases were temporary until the end of fight against terrorists in Iraq. On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced the beginning of the military offensive aimed at retaking Tal Afar, which is located 30 miles away from recently liberated Mosul. Tal Afar is the last major stronghold of the Daesh militants on the border of Iraq with Syria. 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province 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. |