U.S. condemns attacks on Iraqi civiliansMarch 20, 2012 - 21:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States on Tuesday, March 20 strongly condemned attacks in Iraq which killed at least 45 people and said they were a blatant bid by extremists to undermine progress by the Iraqi people, AFP reported. "We strongly condemn the attacks on innocent civilians in Iraq," said White House spokesman Jay Carney, but said that violence was at historic lows and that Iraqi forces were capable of maintaining overall security. A wave of attacks killed 45 people in more than a dozen Iraqi cities on Tuesday, the anniversary of the US-led invasion of the country and just days before Baghdad hosts a landmark Arab summit. The violence, which left nearly 200 people wounded, bore the hallmarks of Al-Qaeda, which typically tries to launch coordinated nationwide mass-casualty bombing campaigns. No group immediately claimed responsibility. 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 | Macron honors Charles Aznavour on 100th anniversary French President Emmanuel Macron has paid tribute to the memory of French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour. Blinken says U.S. reviewing a number of aid requests from Armenia He said the U.S. is reviewing the requests to determine what more it can do to increase its assistance to Armenia. At least 2 CSTO members participated in preparing 44-day war against Armenia – PM Nikol Pashinyan has declared that at least two CSTO member countries participated in preparations for the 44-day war against Armenia. Armenia PM meets Iran’s Supreme Leader in Tehran Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a meeting with Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Seyyed Ali Khamenei |