Iraqi forces start offensive against IS in region around Mosul: reportMarch 24, 2016 - 11:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraq's armed forces started on Thursday, March 24, an offensive against Islamic State militants in the region around Mosul, pushing them out from several villages, Reuters reported, citing a military statement on state TV. “The first phase of the Fatah (Conquest) Operation has been launched at dawn to liberate Nineveh, by liberating a number of villages and raising the Iraqi flag,” the statement said. Mosul, the largest city in northern Iraq, fell to Islamic State two years ago. It is the capital of the Nineveh province. Photo: Almanar 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 | Turkey condemns Uruguay’s recognition of Armenian Genocide Turkey has condemned a newly passed law in Uruguay that recognizes the Armenian Genocide, TRT reports. For the first time, Armenia votes in favor of Georgia resolution in UN Armenia on Tuesday, June 4 voted for the first time in favor a resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Moscow warns Armenia against leaving Russian-led defense bloc Armenia could ruin its military ties with Russia if it continues drifting towards the West, according to a senior official in Moscow. Moscow says ready to support Yerevan-Baku reconciliation Moscow has confirmed its readiness to support the reconciliation of Yerevan and Baku. |