27 killed, almost 100 wounded in Damascus blastsMarch 17, 2012 - 15:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - 27 people were killed and almost 100 wounded in two huge bomb blasts in the Syrian capital on Saturday, March 17, the government said, as international peace envoy Kofi Annan geared up for a monitoring mission to end the year-long bloodshed, Reuters reported. "Twenty-seven people, mostly civilians, were killed and 97 others wounded in the two explosions," health minister Wael al-Halaqi said on state TV channel Syria News. State television had earlier said several civilians and police were killed in the early morning attacks minutes apart targeting criminal police headquarters in the Duwar al-Jamarek area and air force intelligence offices in Al-Qasaa district. It blamed "terrorists" for the blasts, as angry residents vented their fury at Arab supporters of anti-regime activists in Syria. "According to our initial information, they were car bombs," the channel said. 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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |