Western coalition is unlikely to take over al-Raqqah in Syria soon - Russian Defense Ministry
MOSCOW. March 25 (Interfax) - The Russian Defense Ministry said it does not share the optimism of the French defense minister about the Western coalition's operation in Syria's al-Raqqah, which is considered a stronghold of the Islamic State (ISIL, terrorist organization banned in Russia).
"It is clear to any military specialist that the liberation of al-Raqqah will not be an easy walk for the international coalition," Russian Defense Ministry official Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Saturday, commenting on the statement by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian stating that al-Raqqah is encircled and the battle for it will begin in the next few days.
"The real success and timeframe of the completion of this operation will directly depend on the understanding and readiness to coordinate their activities with all forces fighting international terrorism in Syria," Konashenkov said about al-Raqqah.
"The Friday optimism of the French defense minister, who declared the end of the encirclement of al-Raqqah, has some special sources of inspiration unrelated to reality and the situation on the ground," Konashenkov said.
"Such over-optimistic slogans about encirclement and a prompt victory of the coalition in Iraq's Mosul were already followed by considerable losses of the Iraqi forces and an increasing humanitarian disaster. And even the biggest optimists are ceasing to believe in the possibility of full liberation of Mosul from ISIL this year," Konashenkov said.