Continuing blog entries, extracts from the latest edition of the DEBKAfile newsletter and as germane to the previous blog entry.
"Indirect US talks for ISIS fighters to exit Raqqa"
29 May.
"US Secretary of Defense James Mattis told CBS News Sunday night, May 28, that the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) jihadist group has "accelerated" and shifted to "annihilation tactics." This assertion does not square with the indirect talks the United States is secretly conducting with ISIS for its commanders and most of its operational strength to quit Raqqa,"
"According to DEBKAfile's military and intelligence sources, the negotiations are taking place between the US-sponsored Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is dominated by the powerful YPG Syrian Kurdish militia allied with Syrian Arabs. As a result, few ISIS fighters remain in Raqqa."
"The negotiations with ISIS have been ongoing for about ten days. However, in the case of a deal for Raqqa, the Russians have just thrown a spanner [monkey wrench] in the works."
"monkey wrench - - noun 2. something that interferes with functioning; obstacle"
ALLOWING THE JIHADISTS AN AVENUE TO MAKE AN ORGANIZED RETREAT IS CONTRARY TO STATED AMERICAN POLICY? AN UNSCATHED ENEMY IS ONE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY IN ANOTHER LOCALE?
coolbert.
