Rebel sleeper cells "emerge across southern and western Syria"March 12, 2019 - 10:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Rebel sleeper cells have emerged across both southern and western Syria, despite the fact that the Syrian military has declared many of the areas safe to return to, Al-Masdar News says. Most recently, the Syrian military reported a powerful explosion inside the rural Daraa town of Tafas after an IED was detonated under a motor vehicle. According to the Syrian military, the IED attack targeted the home of the reconciled Free Syrian Army (FSA) commander Abu Murshid Badran. In addition to the attack, the rebel sleeper cells targeted two other sites inside the northern region of the Homs Governorate. The first of the attacks occurred on March 8th when a group of rebels opened fire on a Syrian Arab Army checkpoint in the town of Al-Rastan. The following night, the second attack would occur when a rebel fighter threw a grenade at a military checkpoint inside the same town. The rebel fighters managed to escape capture by the Syrian Arab Army; however, it has also forced the latter to beef up their security in several parts of the country. 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. |