Rebels claim to have shot down Syrian jet in northeast DaraaJune 25, 2018 - 16:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rebel fighters in the southern province of Daraa claimed they have shot down a Syrian MIG-23 fighter as the Syrian forces attempts to recapture a key town and split the rebel-held areas, Al-Masdar News reports. The MIG-23 variable-geometry fighter aircraft was allegedly downed with a 23mm anti-aircraft autocannon while carrying airstrikes on the jihadi stronghold of Busra al-Harir town located in the northeastern countryside of the province. A Syrian military source confirmed that a plane was hit but denied it was downed. “A MIG-23 of the Syrian Army Air Force was hit while on a mission in northeast Darra. The body of the warplane was damaged but the pilot managed to return and land safely in the airbase”, the source commented. The incident comes as the Syrian army intensifies attacks in bid to liberate the key jihadi bastion of Busra al-Harir and eventually entirely besiege militants in Lajat region. 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. |