Russian Embassy in Damascus falls under mortar attackOctober 4, 2016 - 17:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Russian embassy in Damascus fell under mortar shelling Monday, October 4. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the shelling came from areas controlled by the al-Nusra Front and Faylaq al-Rahman militants, the International Business Times reports. In a statement cited by Russian news agency Sputnik, the ministry said: “The Russian diplomatic mission came under mortar shelling on October 3. One of the mines exploded on the embassy area near its residential department. Fortunately, no one was wounded. The diplomatic mission sustained material damage. Another two mines went off next to the embassy.” The ministry also called for a coordinated approach to counterterrorism. On Monday, the United States and Russia ended a fragile cooperation on Syria after the U.S. said Russia failed to live up to its commitments, which were part of the deal between the two countries. Russia’s Foreign Ministry said of Monday’s shelling: “We view this shelling of the Russian embassy as a consequence of actions of those who, like the U.S. and its allies, provoke the violent conflict in Syria, flirting with militants and extremists of different sorts.” 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 | Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. Armenian government besieged by protesters Protesters led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan poured into Yerevan’s Republic Square to try to surround the seat of Armenia’s government. Armenia, Russia agree on repairing railway destroyed in floods Yerevan and Moscow have agreed to repair a flood-stricken railway in northern Armenia. |