Islamic State overruns town in NigeriaJanuary 15, 2019 - 11:09 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Islamic State West Africa (ISWA) insurgents overran the town of Rann in northeastern Nigeria on Monday, Jan. 14 evening, security sources said, a blow to President Buhari's efforts to defeat the militants just weeks before national elections, Reuters reports. Buhari came to power in 2015 on promises to defeat the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, from which ISWA split in 2016. ISWA has since become the dominant group in Nigeria's northeast, with a surge in attacks renewing debates around security in the run-up to elections on Feb. 16. Nigerian government forces fled during ISWA's attack, along with residents of the town, the sources said, adding that the militants were setting buildings ablaze. "The terrorists have invaded Rann, they've taken over, our guys are retreating," said one military source, speaking on condition of anonymity. Last month, ISWA launched a series of attacks that saw them take the town of Baga, the Nigerian headquarters of a multi-country force formed by Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger to fight the extremists, sending more than 30,000 people fleeing. Last week, the military launched a counter-offensive and retook the town, saying in a statement it had given ISWA a "bloody nose". But the Nigerian military's attacks have not deterred the insurgents, and security sources say the army has lost the initiative, with hundreds of soldiers killed, low morale and a lack of equipment. 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 | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |