U.S. condemns attacks on Iraqi civiliansMarch 20, 2012 - 21:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States on Tuesday, March 20 strongly condemned attacks in Iraq which killed at least 45 people and said they were a blatant bid by extremists to undermine progress by the Iraqi people, AFP reported. "We strongly condemn the attacks on innocent civilians in Iraq," said White House spokesman Jay Carney, but said that violence was at historic lows and that Iraqi forces were capable of maintaining overall security. A wave of attacks killed 45 people in more than a dozen Iraqi cities on Tuesday, the anniversary of the US-led invasion of the country and just days before Baghdad hosts a landmark Arab summit. The violence, which left nearly 200 people wounded, bore the hallmarks of Al-Qaeda, which typically tries to launch coordinated nationwide mass-casualty bombing campaigns. No group immediately claimed responsibility. 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. |