Battle for Deir ez-Zor proves costly for both Syrian army, Islamic StateJune 6, 2018 - 10:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Scores of Syrian Arab Army (SAA) soldiers and Islamic State (IS) terrorists were killed during the 48 hour long battle in southeast Deir ez-Zor past weekend, Al-Masdar News cited a military source as saying. According to the source, the Syrian army lost 26 soldiers during the battle, with the majority of their casualties coming during the first day of the Islamic State offensive near the border-city of Albukamal. The source added that the Islamic State suffered over 40 casualties in its ranks, as most of their corpses were left behind during their abrupt retreat from the towns of Jalaa, Saiyal, and Hasarat in southeast Deir ez-Zor. IS’ attack did manage to cutoff the Mayadeen-Albukamal Highway for several hours on Sunday, June 3; however, once Syrian army reinforcements arrived, they were able to retake the initiative and reopen the roadway. With a looming Syrian army offensive in the Badiya Al-Sham region, the Islamic State has been launching desperate attacks recently in a bid to delay the government’s operation. 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. |