According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Oleg Syromolotov, the Russian and US militaries are engaged in “concrete coordination” talks with an eye toward ousting ISIS from its capital city of Raqqa, in northern Syria.
Syrian troops recently took the ancient city of Palmyra from ISIS, a bit further south, but there has been no real effort by anyone to advance on Raqqa for months, since the Kurdish YPG forces have shifted attention further west to the ISIS holdings around Jarabulus.
Having the US and Russia directly cooperating could make a push against Raqqa much more effective, though it would raise questions about which force’s allies ultimately end up in control of the city.
That could be another job for the YPG, which is one of the few factions that is being aided by both the US and Russia, though neighboring Turkey would doubtless express outrage at the nations turning over another city to the Kurds, as they’ve been attacking YPG targets and accusing them of “terrorism” throughout the war.
Familiar advice to Russia–trust but verify.
How about letting Syrian Army take possession and insure little by little that there are no terrorists left on asyrian soil. Or would US rather try to manufacture mire mythical “moderste” head choppers so they can play victims of bad Assad and allow US to be their protector as they all in unison scteam “Infidel must go” so they can gave their nuce caliphate whrere they can do head chopping all day and night. As pornography is prohibited — some Roman style collosem, and plenty of blood is an adequate sustitute. Will our neocons finally sccept that their gig is up — and that gambling more eith US money, lives and reputation is enough.