Syrian army foils Islamic State attack in southeast Syria: reportJuly 14, 2018 - 15:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Islamic State (IS) launched a big assault in the eastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate ob Saturday, July 14, targeting a strategic dam in the northeastern countryside of the Al-Sweida Governorate, Al-Masdar News reports. IS began the offensive by storming the Syrian Arab Army’s positions at the Al-Zaaf Dam in a bid to retake the ground they lost late last month. A fierce battle would ensue between the two parties at the Al-Zaaf Dam, resulting in heavy casualties for all parties involved. However, despite the intensity of the Islamic State attack on the Al-Zaaf Dam, the militant group was unable to breakthrough the Syrian Arab Army’s lines after several hours of fighting. According to a military source in the provincial capital of Al-Sweida, the Syrian Army and their allies from the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) managed to kill scores of IS militants before restoring security around the Al-Zaaf Dam. The latest attack by IS marks the second time in the last ten days that they have attempted to advance in the northeastern countryside of the Al-Sweida Governorate. 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 | U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. |