Syrian military launches big assault in DaraaJune 21, 2018 - 14:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Militant groups in northeast Daraa were awoken in the wee hours of Thursday, June 20 by the sound of heavy airstrikes and surface-to-surface missiles fired by the Syrian military, Al-Masdar News says. The Syrian military unleashed a massive assault across rural Daraa, targeting several areas controlled by militants. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Air Force (SyAAF) heavily targeted the towns of Busra Al-Sham, Busra Al-Harir, Tal Al-Harrah, Nahteh, Al-Musaykah and Al-Hirak, inflicting immense damage on the rival's defenses there. According to a military source in Daraa, the Syrian Air Force specifically struck a Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham base that was located inside the town of Al-Hirak. The source added that more than ten fighters from Harakat Ahrar Al-Sham were dead or wounded as a result of this powerful airstrike. Meanwhile, in east Daraa, the Syrian Army relentlessly targeted the rival's defenses with surface-to-surface missiles and artillery shells inside the towns of Busra Al-Sham, Busra Al-Harir, Nahteh and Al-Musaykah. A source told Al-Masdar around midnight that the Syrian military had effectively cutoff the militant supply lines from Masifrah to Al-Karak and Masifrah to Umm Wald. The Syrian Army has yet to make any push on the ground; however, that could change in the coming hours, as they continue to press militant groups in southwest Syria. 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. |