11 al-Qaeda fighters, 5 soldiers killed in S. YemenMay 29, 2012 - 21:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yemen's army pressed an offensive against southern towns held by al-Qaeda-linked fighters, with 11 militants and five soldiers killed in the clashes, military officials said, according to AP. Clashes around the town of Jaar, which fell to the militants more than a year ago, left eight al-Qaeda fighters and two soldiers dead over the past 24 hours, they said. Another three al-Qaeda fighters and three soldiers were killed after militants ambushed an army supply column northeast of Zinjibar, the capital of Abyan province. Yemen's army claims it has retaken most of Zinjibar, captured in 2011 by militants taking advantage of political turmoil to extend their control over large swaths of territory in the south. The officials said the army continued its cautious advance toward the nearby town of Jaar supported by heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling. They say militants are entrenched in the town after most of the civilian population fled. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military regulations. Residents who managed to flee Jaar said the army dropped fliers calling on citizens to stay away from combat zones. 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 | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |