Islamic State blows up Syrian army artillery guns with anti-tank missilesMarch 19, 2018 - 14:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Amid a powerful assault carried out by Islamic State forces across government-held areas of Deir ez-Zor province on Saturday, March 17 night through Sunday afternoon, two Syrian Army artillery pieces were knocked by an anti-tank missile team belonging to the terrorist group, Al-Masdar News reports. The attack took place on the northern outskirts of Abu Kamal city (near the Iraqi border) and saw IS engage and destroy two Syrian Army 130-mm M-46 field guns, a staple artillery piece in the arsenal of government forces. During the wide-sweeping IS assault that was, Islamic State militants attacked the Syrian Army and allied paramilitary groups at the T-2 military airbase as well as the Euphrates cities of Al-Mayadeen and Abu Kamal. Although unconfirmed, it appears that the group’s offensive of Saturday to Sunday has since come to an end, however, at relatively high-cost to all sides with both the Syrian Army and allied forces and IS likely suffering a combined death toll of over one hundred men. 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. |