Syrian rebels claim shooting down military jetJune 11, 2015 - 19:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian rebels said they had shot down a military jet on Thursday, June 11, in southern Syria, where insurgents fighting to topple President Bashar al-Assad seized a major army base earlier this week, Reuters reports. Bashar al-Zoubi, leader of the Yarmouk Army rebel group, told Reuters his fighters had shot down the Russian-built MiG using anti-aircraft guns. A video posted online by the opposition affiliated Syrian Media Organization appeared to show a jet falling from the sky. An insurgent alliance including rebels backed by Assad's Arab enemies captured the military base "Liwa 52" on Tuesday. The Syrian military has not commented on the loss of the base. It has compounded losses for Assad since March in the south, the east and the northwest where he has lost territory to an array of insurgent groups including the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and Islamic State. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Freedom House: “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Freedom House has published a report summary titled “Why are there no Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh?” Armenia says wants expanded transport, energy connectivity Pashinyan says Armenia is interested in the expansion of connectivity in transport, energy, telecommunications and other directions. Aliyev: Change in Armenia’s Constitution key for singing peace deal Ilham Aliyev has declared that most important condition for signing a peace agreement is for Armenia to change its Constitution. U.S. sees “extraordinary” opportunity for peace between Armenia, Azerbaijan U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes there is an “extraordinary” opportunity to reach a peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. |