Obama calls on Turkey, Kurdish YPG to show reciprocal restraintFebruary 20, 2016 - 10:27 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. President Barack Obama in a telephone call with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday, February 19 urged the Ankara government and Kurdish YPG forces to "show reciprocal restraint" in northern Syria, AFP reports. "President Obama stressed that YPG forces should not seek to exploit circumstances in this area to seize additional territory, and urged Turkey to show reciprocal restraint by ceasing artillery strikes in the area," a White House statement said. Meanwhile, Turkey's presidency said Obama had shared his concerns over the Syrian conflict and promised his support. In the phone conversation that lasted one hour and 20 minutes, Ankara said Obama had told Erdogan that Turkey “had a right to self-defense, and expressed worries over advances by Syrian Kurdish militias near Turkey's border.” 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 | Mirzoyan says meeting with Bayramov was “constructive” At the moment, Ararat Mirzoyan said, there is no basis for additional comments. OSCE vows support for Armenia “in all three directions of security” Achieving stable peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains a priority of the OSCE, said Ian Borg. 151 detained as civil disobedience campaigns continue in Yerevan Citizens have been blocking streets in the Armenian capital, demanding Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation. France welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan meeting in Almaty France has welcomed the new round of negotiations between the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan. |