Scores of Islamist fighters in army ambush near DamascusFebruary 26, 2014 - 16:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Scores of Islamist fighters were killed in an army ambush in the Eastern Ghouta area of the Syrian capital Damascus, the national news agency SANA said on Wednesday, Feb 26. Lebanon's Al Manar television said the attack was near the town of Otaiba and that the death toll may have been higher than 170. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a monitoring group opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, said at least 70 fighters had been killed but the number could be much higher. The Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources across Syria, said fighters from the Shi'ite group Hezbollah carried out the ambush in cooperation with Syrian government forces. "Hezbollah was the main group that implemented the ambush," Reuters quoted Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Observatory, as saying. Hezbollah has sent fighters to support the Syrian leader, whose Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam. Sunni militants from Lebanon, Iraq and other countries have also entered Syria to fight on behalf of the largely Sunni rebellion. Related links: 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. |