Syrian helicopter downed in DamascusDecember 1, 2017 - 17:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A Syrian Mi-24 helicopter was downed over the West Ghouta region of Damascus while aiding their ground forces inside the Beit Jinn pocket on Friday, December 1 morning, Al-Masdar News reports. According to a military source, the Syrian chopper crashed near the Al-Salaam Highway in the government-held Kanakir area – the pilot and two of his personnel were killed instantly. The source from the Syrian military stated that a militant group fired an anti-aircraft missile at the chopper while it was flying over the Beit Jinn pocket. The pro-opposition Horan Free Media Facebook page released footage of the missile strike on the helicopter. The Syrian military has accused Israel of providing these missiles to the Al-Qaeda linked Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham terrorist group, as they would have no other way of attaining these advanced SAMs. 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. |