Blockade Raqqa.

This is coolbert:

Beginning here a series of blog entries, extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter, events in Syria having reached a most critical stage. NOW HOWEVER WE HAVE RUSSIAN MEDDLING?

"Russian siege on Raqqa, distant from US troops"

27 May.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin acted to strengthen the military alliance he had set up with Iran and Turkey for working together in Syria - as a counterweight to President Donald Trump's spectacular success in forging a Sunni Arab bloc during his four days in the Middle East."

. . . .

"Putin has ordered the Russian commanders in Syria to impose an aerial and special forces ground siege on the northern town of Raqqa, the Islamic State's de facto Syrian capital."

"Why Raqqa? Firstly, it is in the north, far from the American positions. Second, Russian intelligence had apparently discovered a deal between the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces - SDF - and ISIS which allowed the jihadists safe passage out of their stronghold towards the south."

THIS REPRESENTS DELIBERATE AND MALICIOUS INTERFERENCE WITH THE FORTHCOMING RAQQA OPERATION? ALL IN THE NAME OF GEO-POLITICAL STRATEGIC MACHINATIONS VERY UNSEEMLY!

Annihilation of the ISIL combatants the stated goal of the allied American and SDF forces not guaranteed now. Jihadists being allowed an avenue of retreat?

coolbert.