Spitak earthquake victims commemorated in DamascusDecember 6, 2010 - 16:38 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On December 5, Saint Sargis Armenian Church in Damascus, Syria, hosted a memorial service for victims of 1988 Spitak earthquake. Armenia’s Ambassador to Syria Arshak Poladyan, diplomats of the Armenian embassy and representatives of the Armenian community were attending. On December 7, 1988, 11 a.m. local time, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook north-western Armenia and was followed four minutes later by a magnitude 5.8 aftershock. The great disaster leveled the towns of Gyumri and Spitak to the ground, leaving 100 thousand people dead and over 500 homeless. A lot of others became crippled. Spitak earthquake is in the list of the world's biggest catastrophes. 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 | Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. Pashinyan: Armenia’s desired goal is “on the horizon” Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia is moving forward “without interruption”. Opposition leader, supporters spend night at Sardarapat memorial Police made nearly 300 arrests the day before as Galstanyan and his supporters continued to demonstrate in Yerevan. |