Turkish army launches direct assault on Afrin cityJanuary 23, 2018 - 16:18 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Turkisharmy and proxy militias under its command have commenced their drive on the city of Afrin in Aleppo province’s northwestern countryside, Al-Masdar News says. According to official Turkish sources, forces of the Turkish army and Free Syrian army-linked rebel groups subordinated to it have kicked-off their direct offensive thrust to seize the Kurdish-held city of Afrin. The assault has been launched via the militant-held Syrian town of Azaz in northern Aleppo which one of the closest points between rebel lines and Afrin city. So far Turkish army-led forces are attacking towards the Barsaya mountain (northeast of Afrin) which if captured will give them direct fire-control over many of the towns and villages that guard the eastern approach to Afrin. The main offensive thrust now being undertaken by pro-Ankara forces comes after several days of heavy bombing and shelling of the entire Afrin region by Turkish warplanes and artillery assets as well as incursions by Free Syrian army-linked militias south of the Turkish border at several different points. 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. |