Over 80 000 killed in Syria conflict, monitoring group saysMay 13, 2013 - 09:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - More than 80,000 people have been killed in Syria’s conflict since it erupted more than two years ago, a monitoring group said on Sunday, May 12, according to AFP. Nearly half of those who died were civilians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The Britain-based watchdog said it has documented the killing of around 82,257 people, including 34,473 civilians -- among them 4,788 children and 3,049 women. It has also recorded the deaths of 16,687 rebel fighters, including defected military personnel. The watchdog said 16,729 soldiers and more than 12,000 shabiha (pro-regime militia) and regime informants have also died. The bodies of another 2,368 people were found across Syria, the Observatory added. The conflict started out in March 2013 as a peaceful uprising against President Bashar al-Assad but spiraled into a civil war after the army unleashed a brutal crackdown against dissent. Some 1.4 million people have fled the country while 4.2 other Syrians have become internally displaced, the UN says. 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 | SBP instant transfers now available from 190 Russian banks to Armenia To receive money from Russian banks, easywallet users need to go to their easywallet accounts. Armenia's Davit Chaloyan qualifies for Paris Olympics The Armenian boxer qualified for Paris Olympics after a series of successful bouts at the 2nd World Qualification Tournament. Lemkin Institute urges Armenia to respect people’s right to dissent The Lemkin Institute has urged the Armenian government to respect people’s fundamental human right to express their dissent. French-Armenian journalist returns to France after 41-day hunger strike Nicolian said on social media on Sunday, June 2 that he needs to improve his health in order to “continue the fight”. |