Syria Kurds, rebels forces advance into IS de facto capitalFebruary 20, 2015 - 11:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Syrian Kurdish and rebel forces, backed by US-led air strikes, advanced on Thursday, Feb 19 into Raqa province, where the jihadist Islamic State group has its de facto capital, a monitor said, according to Agence France-Presse. "The YPG (Kurdish People's Protection Units) and rebel forces captured 19 villages in Raqa province," said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The US-led international coalition played a key role in the advance, bombing the IS positions and forcing its fighters to withdraw," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman. The advance comes as Kurdish and rebel forces push outwards from the border town of Kobane, from which they expelled IS forces after more than four months of fighting. Since driving IS out of Kobane on January 26, Kurdish and allied forces have taken much of the surrounding countryside in northern Aleppo province and begun pushing east into neighbouring Raqa province. They have captured some 242 villages around Kobane, including the 19 in Raqa province, according to the Observatory. They are now 25 kilometres (15 miles) from Tal Abyad, another Kurdish-majority border town overrun by IS. Located 65 kilometres east of Kobane, the town is used by IS fighters to cross into Turkey. Photo: Reuters Related links: 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 | About 32,000 rally in Yerevan to deman Pashinyan’s resignation About 31,700 people attended an opposition rally on Thursday, May 9 in Yerevan demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Armenian, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister to meet in Almaty Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan and his Azerbaijani counterpart Jeyhun Bayramov will meet in Almaty. Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. |