Elite Syrian army units deploy to Afrin border: reportsMarch 12, 2018 - 12:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Forces of the Syrian army’s Republican Guard are deploying to the border of government and Kurdish controlled territory in Aleppo province’s Afrin region, Al-Masdar News reports citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR). The SOHR report claims that Republican Guard units are reinforcing Syrian army positions along the Zahraa-Nubl axis, where Turkish-backed forces are just a matter of kilometers away from making contact with government lines. Al-Masdar News cannot currently clarify the SOHR claim. If true, the Republican Guard units most likely belong to the Syrian army’s Aleppo-based 30th Division. Such units will most likely not be involved in any intervention into the Afrin following the collapse of talks between Damascus and Kurdish forces for the hand-over of the region to government protection. 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 | “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. 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. |