Russia Vows to Block Islamic State's Escape From Syrian Lair
- Islamic State attempted twice to break through to Palmyra
- Russia killed 180 jihadists in two series of air strikes
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Russia vowed to prevent the escape of Islamic State fighters from their self-declared capital in Raqqa, under siege by U.S.-backed forces, after thwarting two attempts by the jihadists to break through toward Syrian government-controlled territory.
Russian forces will “continue to take all necessary measures to stop Islamic State units from breaking out of Raqqa” in Syria toward the northwestern provinces of Homs and Hama, the Defense Ministry in Moscow said by email on Thursday. “The Russian Air Force in Syria has the means to destroy terrorists at any time.”’