Shells strike Russian Embassy building in DamascusOctober 13, 2015 - 13:43 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two shells have struck the Russian embassy compound in the Syrian capital Damascus as hundreds of pro-government supporters rallied outside in support of Russian air strikes, BBC News reports. A BBC Arabic correspondent in Damascus says some people have been injured. The explosions triggered widespread panic and smoke was seen coming from the embassy compound. Rebel forces based in the suburbs of Damascus have targeted the embassy in the past. Activist group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the shells had come from an eastern area of the capital. Moments before, demonstrators had been waving Russian flags and holding up photographs of Russian President Vladimir Putin, witnesses said, according to BBC. Last month, Russia demanded "concrete action" after a missile struck the embassy compound. One person was killed in May when mortar rounds landed near the embassy, and three people were hurt in April when mortars exploded inside the compound. 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 | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |