DUSHANBE, March 15, 2016, Asia-Plus – President Vladimir Putin has instructed Russia’s armed forces to start pulling out of Syria.
According to Russian media outlets, President Putin told Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on March 14 that Russian military forces had largely fulfilled their objectives in Syria.
“I am therefore ordering the defense minister, from tomorrow, to start the withdrawal of the main part of our military contingent from Syria,” he added.
Russian president expressed hope that the withdrawal of Russian troops will be a stimulus for a political resolution of the conflict.
Russian leader said that Russia”s Hmeimim air base in Latakia province and its Mediterranean naval base at Tartus would continue to operate as normal. He said both must be protected “from land, air and sea.”
Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria last September, and according to Russian media outlets, Russian aircraft flew more than 9,000 sorties, destroying 209 oil production and transfer facilities, helping Syrian government troops to retake 400 settlements and regain control over more than 10,000 square kilometers of territory.
Reuters
reports that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Putin agreed the Russian move in a telephone call. A statement released by the Syrian government on Monday says it was in line with “the continuation of the cessation of hostilities and in accordance with the situation on the ground.” It also said Russia had pledged to continue its support for Syria in “combating terrorism.”
Meanwhile, Syria”s opposition reportedly welcomed the Russian announcement cautiously. “If there is seriousness in implementing the withdrawal, it will give the [peace] talks a positive push,” said Salim al-Muslat, spokesman for the opposition High Negotiations Committee. “If this is a serious step it will form a major element of pressure on the regime, because the Russian support prolonged the regime,” Muslat added.
The
Guardian
reports that Western diplomatic sources were both skeptical and startled by Putin’s unexpected and mercurial move. “We will have to wait and see what this represents. It is Putin. He has announced similar concessions in the past and nothing materialized,” a diplomat at the talks in Geneva told the
Guardian
.
According to Reuters, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington was encouraged by Putin’s announcement but that it was too early to say what it means, whether he will carry it out and what may have motivated it.
