Vladimir Putin announces troop withdrawal from Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the "main part" of its forces in Syria from Tuesday, BBC news reports citing the Kremlin readout of the Russian President’s meeting with Foreign Minister Lavrov and Defense Minister Shoygu.
As a reason for the move Vladimir Putin has indicated that Russian mission “had largely achieved its objectives in Syria.”
The withdrawal was "in accordance with the situation on the ground," the Kremlin statement reads.
"I consider the mission set for the defense ministry and the armed forces on the whole has been accomplished," Mr. Putin said, adding. "I am therefore ordering the defense ministry to begin the withdrawal of the main part of our military force from the Syrian Arab Republic from tomorrow."
The source reminds that Vladimir Putin’s decision came amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict.
To recall, Russia began its military campaign of air strikes in Syria last September, tipping the balance in favor of the Syrian government and allowing it to recapture territory both from Syrian rebels and ISIL militants.