Kurdish troops capture four IS-controlled villages near the EuphratesOctober 10, 2017 - 13:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Over the past 24 hours, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have swept across the northern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, brushing aside all Islamic State resistance in the process, Al-Masdar News reports. According to a Kurdish military source close to Al-Masdar News, the SDF has captured the villages of Zughayr Kabeera, Huwayj Diyab, Abu Ghaminah and Muhaymidah in a 10 kilometer southwards thrust along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River. Meanwhile, preliminary reports indicate the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has simultaneously captured the eastern side of the destroyed Al-Siyasah bridge on Tuesday morning after advancing from the newly liberated village of Hatlah Fokkani. If this proves to be the case, the SAA has finally completed the encirclement of jihadist forces in the provincial capital of Deir ez-Zor, thereby cutting them off from the Islamic State heartland. With two rival anti-IS offensives, known as the ‘Big Dawn’ and ‘Al-Jazirah Storm’, unfolding in Deir ez-Zor, both the SAA and SDF hope to landgrab as much oil-rich territory in eastern Syria as possible. Photo. AFP 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |