NATO rules out combat operations against Islamic State in IraqOctober 5, 2016 - 12:20 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - NATO will not be conducting combat operations against the Islamic State militants in Iraq but will rather focus on providing further training to the local troops, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday, October 5, according to Sputnik. "NATO will not be a part of combat operations. NATO is training forces and will do more of that because we believe that in the long-run it is better that local forces, Iraqi forces are able to fight IS themselves instead of NATO conducting big combat operations," Stoltenberg told journalists ahead of the meeting of the Brussels conference on Afghanistan. On September 9, the NATO chief welcomed Turkey's and other allies' efforts in fighting Daesh militants in Syria. IS has been ravaging Iraq and Syria since 2014. The terrorist group has overrun certain territories in both countries and has declared the city of Mosul in Iraq as the capital of its so-called caliphate. The Daesh terrorist group is outlawed in many countries around the world, including Russia and the United States. 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 | EU to provide budgetary support to Armenia The agreement is aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the educational system of Armenia. Aliyev: No peace treaty unless Armenia changes constitution Azerbaijan will not sign a peace treaty with Armenia unless the latter changes its constitution, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said. Azerbaijan proposes Armenia to jointly seek cancelation of Minak Group The Azerbaijani President maintained that the move will show “how sincere Armenia is.” Seven injured in massive gas station explosion in Armenia The Investigative Committee of Armenia has unveiled details about a massive explosion at a gas station on the Yerevan-Sevan highway. |