Afghanistan fighters linked to IS in Syria: top U.S. commanderJune 30, 2015 - 10:50 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior U.S. commander in Afghanistan has said that fighters allied with Islamic State (IS) are in contact with the militants' Syrian headquarters, BBC News reports. Gen Sean Swindell, leader of the unit training Afghan special forces, said that disgruntled Taliban fighters have established a "franchise". But he added that IS in Afghanistan is not as serious as in Libya or Iraq. There have been serious clashes between the new group and the Taliban in eastern Afghanistan in recent weeks. The first signs of "IS in Khorasan" were in Pakistan's frontier region in January. A number of ex-Taliban fighters, including one Afghan commander, pledged allegiance to the new group. Now, backing up IS threats, pictures of Taliban fighters being both beheaded and shot have appeared on social media in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The new battles are a complex security challenge for Afghan forces in their first summer of fighting without international combat support on the ground. This year has seen more than 4,200 civilians killed or injured across the country. It look as if it will set a dismal new record of the highest casualties by the end of the year, topping even 2014. Photo: AFP 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 | Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. Armenian Foreign Minister regrets “tragic loss” of Iranian counterpart The Armenian Foreign Ministry has expressed shock over the death of the Iranian President and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. |