Footage shows Syrian Army tanks nearing gates of Deir ez-ZorSeptember 4, 2017 - 14:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Footage has been released on Monday, September 4 by the Syrian Ministry of Defence (MoD) showing vanguard units of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) punching their way towards the gates of Deir ez-Zor city, Al-Masdar News reports. The video (below) shows Syrian Army tanks and troops, backed up by Russian gunship support, rolling up the last Islamic State positions and defense points en-route to relieve pro-government forces that have been besieged in and around the city for almost three years. Pro-government forces attempting to reach Deir ez-Zor currently stand about five kilometers from the city through the northeastern direction. On Sunday, there were reports that a deep reconnaissance unit from the SAA’s relieving forces scouted their way to besieged army forces at the 137th Brigade Base on the western outskirts of Deir ez-Zor and met up with them. Even if confirmed, the reconnaissance mission does not constitute a proper link-up and thus the siege of Deir ez-Zor has not yet been lifted despite some pro-government social media outlets saying otherwise. Furthermore, the town of Ash-Shula officially remains in the hands of the Islamic State group, with the Syrian Army’s elite Tiger Forces taking up positions on the settlement’s northern outskirts. 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. |