Militants suffer heavy losses in northern Latakia: reportNovember 2, 2019 - 11:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The militants launched a new offensive in the northern countryside of the Latakia Governorate on Friday, November 1, targeting several areas under the control of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), Al-Masdar News reports. Led by Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham, the militants were initially successful in northern Latakia, as their forces managed to capture several sites, including Tal Rasho and Tal Ballout. However, the Syrian Arab Army would quickly respond to this offensive by heavily shelling the militants before they could fortify their positions at these newly captured sites in northern Latakia. According to a military source near the front-lines, the Syrian Arab Army recovered all the areas they lost, except for Tal Rasho, which is expected to retaken later in the day. The source said the Syrian Army suffered four casualties during the militants offensive on Friday, adding that the HTS militants and their allies lost more than 10 fighters. This latest offensive by the militants comes just hours after the Syrian Arab Army once again stormed the strategic town of Kabani in the northeastern countryside of Latakia. 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. |