Iraq’s Prime Minister vows final defeat of Islamic StateDecember 29, 2015 - 10:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi has said so-called Islamic State (IS) will be ousted from the country, after government forces recaptured Ramadi, BBC News reports. In a televised address, Abadi vowed to retake Iraq's second city of Mosul, saying it would be "the fatal and final blow" to IS. The recapture of Ramadi was welcomed by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who said IS had suffered a major defeat. The jihadists seized Ramadi in May, in an embarrassing defeat for the army. Iraqi government forces have been fighting to retake the city - about 90km (55 miles) west of the capital, Baghdad - for weeks. TV pictures on Monday showed troops raising the Iraqi flag over the government complex in the city centre. Army spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasul said forces had "liberated" Ramadi in an "epic" victory. Iraqi officials gave no immediate death toll from the battle. Related links: 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 | Russian Ambassador to Armenia summoned to Moscow for consultations Russian Ambassador to Armenia Sergei Kopyrkin has been summoned to Moscow for consultations. Armenian border troops stationed in Tavush Starting from May 24, the Armenian border troops officially take over the protection of sections of the border in the Tavush region. Welcome to CaseKey 2024. Byblos Bank Armenia firmly stands by future innovators Strategic business cases, invaluable experience, innovative approaches and more than 25 events are in store for the participants of CaseKey 2024. Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. |