Kurdish forces expand control over the Euphrates RiverDecember 29, 2017 - 12:05 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S.-backed forces (of which Kurdish units represent a core component) have made serious advances in the last 24 hours amid an ongoing offensive operation to capture all remaining Islamic State-held towns and villages along the eastern shore of the Euphrates River and reach the Syrian-Iraqi border near the strategic city of Abu Kamal, Al-Masdar News reports. On the night of Thursday, December 28 to Friday, Coalition-led forces reached the Euphrates river near the village of Al-Bahra in a move aimed at trapping IS within the heavily contested Shaitat tribal region. Further south again, US-backed fighters reached and entered the town of Haijan, about 25 kilometers from the government-controlled Syrian-Iraqi border city of Abu Kamal, where a major battle is now developing. So far pro-Coalition militias have managed to seize some areas inside and around Haijan but have yet to fully eject Islamic State militants from the town. Photo. AFP 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |