Russia, Syria launch joint attack in northeast LatakiaMay 7, 2019 - 11:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham’s attempted bombardment of the Hmeimim Airbase on Monday, May 6 did not go as planned for the militant group as the Russian air defenses managed to destroy all of the attack drones, Al-Masdar News reports. Following the attempted militant drone attack on the Hmeimim Airbase near the coastal city of Jableh, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and their Russian allies unleashed a powerful assault that devastated Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham’s positions in northeastern Latakia. According to a military source near the town of Salma, the Syrian Arab Army’s 42nd Brigade of the 4th Armored Division began the assault by firing a plethora of missiles from their domestically-made Golan-1000 system towards the militant stronghold of Kabani. Shortly after the 42nd Brigade began their attack, the Russian Air Force joined the assault by launching several airstrikes over the hilltops in Kabani; they would manage to hit many militant targets, including the command-and-control centers of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham. The joint Russian-Syrian attack reportedly inflicted heavy casualties within the ranks of the militant group, while also destroying many of their installations in the process. The joint attack by the Russian and Syrian forces was both retaliatory (response to Hmeimim bombardment) and the start of an operation to clear the key mountaintop town of Kabani. The Syrian Army is expected to storm Kabani in the coming days as they push towards the Jisr Al-Shughour countryside. 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. |