Iran Revolutionary Guards joining Syrian army for major offensiveNovember 2, 2017 - 14:06 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A large number of Iranian soldiers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are participating in the Syrian Arab Army’s (SAA) ongoing offensive to liberate the Islamic State (IS) occupied border-city of Albukamal in the Deir ez-Zor Governorate, a military source in Damascus said, according to Al-Masdar News. The IRGC soldiers are reportedly coordinating between the Syrian Arab Army, Hezbollah, Liwaa Fatemiyoun (Afghani-Iranian paramilitary), and Iraqi paramilitaries (primarily Hashd Al-Sha’abi) operating on both sides of the border. Unlike the previous battles in southern Aleppo and Palmyra, the Syrian Army and IRGC are not relying on Russian choppers for assistance; instead, they are using several attack drones to clear the imperative Deir Ezzor-Albukamal Road. These attack drones have proven incredibly effective, as their forces have already liberated more than 15km of territory east of the T-2 Pumping Station. As the battle for Deir Ezzor City concludes, thousands of Syrian Arab Army and Russian military personnel are expected to arrive to this front to provide the adequate numbers needed to execute the last phase of Operation Dawn. 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 | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |