Two NATO soldiers killed in AfghanistanMarch 1, 2012 - 14:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two NATO soldiers were shot dead on Thursday, March 1, by two Afghans, including a man believed to be a soldier, NATO said, an attack that is likely to raise further questions about the future of the country's security forces, Reuters reported. The killings in south Afghanistan came after two senior U.S. officers were gunned down in the heart of Afghanistan's Interior Ministry on Saturday by what Afghan security officials say was a police intelligence official. That attack raised questions about NATO's strategy of replacing large combat units with advisers as the alliance tries to wind down the war. NATO immediately moved to withdraw all its advisers from Afghan ministries, followed by Britain, Germany and Canada. At least five NATO soldiers have been killed by Afghan security forces since the burning of copies of the Koran at a NATO base last month triggered widespread protests. According to the U.S. Pentagon, around 70 members of the NATO force were killed in 42 insider attacks from May 2007 through January 2012. 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. |