Ankara agrees to join U.S. in liberation of RaqqaSeptember 7, 2016 - 11:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Ankara sees no problem in accepting Washington's proposal for a joint operation to free the Syrian city of Raqqa from the Islamic State group, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday, September 7, Sputnik reports. “Raqqa is an important center for Daesh… [US President Barack ] Obama particularly wants to do something together [with us] about Raqqa,” Hurriyet cited Erdogan as saying. “We have told him that this is not a problem for us… What can be done there will become more concrete after talks.” Erdogan added that Turkey must show that it does exist in the region and has no option of taking a step back on Syria and countering terrorism. The city of Raqqa is the de facto IS capital and their major stronghold in Syria. It has been under jihadi control since August 2014. 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 | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |