Yemen reportedly hands 29 al Qaeda militants to Saudi ArabiaFebruary 11, 2014 - 15:49 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Yemen has handed to Saudi Arabia 29 al Qaeda militants who were wanted by the Saudi authorities, the Yemeni defense ministry website said on Tuesday, Feb 11, citing informed sources. According to Reuters, the website quoted the sources as saying the militants had Saudi nationality and that they had been handed over to the Saudi security apparatus in the past few days. Saudi interior ministry spokesman Major General Mansour Turki said he had no information on the matter, but was seeking to verify the report. Yemen, which neighbors top oil exporter Saudi Arabia, is home to one of al Qaeda's most active branches, known as 'al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula', who have plotted unsuccessfully to attack Western targets, including international airliners. Saudi Arabia is worried that instability in Yemen, where security forces also face challenges from a northern rebellion and southern secessionists, will spill over its borders. Saudi Arabia, the United States' main Gulf ally, is a top target for al Qaeda. Saudis who had previously fought for al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Iraq waged a violent campaign in their own country from 2003 to 2006, killing hundreds in a failed attempt to bring down the ruling al-Saud dynasty. 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 | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |