Russian troops ordered to withdraw from Syria

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian forces to leave Syria, saying the military has “achieved its goals”.

Vladimir Putin

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence minister to begin pulling out the majority of Russian troops in Syria.

“The task that was set before our defence ministry and armed forces has as a whole been completed and so I order the defence ministry to from tomorrow start the withdrawal of the main part of our military contingents from the Syrian Arab Republic,” Putin told Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in televised comments.

Hold fire ... A Russian solder guards in front of a Russian ground attack jet parked at Hemeimeem air base in Syria. Picture: AP

The Kremlin announced that Putin had called President Bashar al-Assad to inform Moscow’s long-standing ally of the surprise move.

Russia has deployed more than 50 jets and helicopters to its Hemeimeem air base, in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia. Each has been flying several combat sorties a day.

The number of Russian soldiers in Syria has never been revealed.

DELVE DEEPER: Russia’s real reasons for intervening in Syria

The Russian- and US-brokered cease-fire that began on Feb. 27 has largely held, but both the Syrian government and its foes have accused one another of violations. The deal with Washington has achieved a key Putin goal: raising Russia’s global profile to appear as an equal to the United States in mediating the Syrian conflict that has dominated global attention.

Russian bombers on an airfield in Syria. Picture: Russian Ministry of Defence

WHITE HOUSE REACTION

The White House said Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin discussed Russia’s planned military drawdown in Syria this morning, hours after the surprise announcement tt.

“They discussed President Putin’s announcement today of a partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria and next steps required to fully implement the cessation of hostilities,” the White House said in a statement.

US officials earlier offered a cautious initial assessment of Putin’s order to begin withdrawing “the main part of our military contingents from the Syrian Arab Republic” from tomorrow.

A recent “cessation of hostilities” has been frequently breached but, Obama said, led to a “much-needed reduction in violence.”

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, cautiously welcomed the announcement. “At this point, we welcome the decision. We hope that it means that the ceasefire will hold and that it’s a reflection of Russia’s view that the ceasefire will hold.”

Meanwhile the White House has sought to turn the screws on Assad.

“Continuing offensive actions by Syrian regime forces risk undermining both the Cessation of Hostilities and the UN-led political process,” the White House cited Obama as saying.

“The president also noted some progress on humanitarian assistance efforts in Syria but emphasized the need for regime forces to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance delivery to the agreed-upon locations, notably Daraya.”

Putin’s announcement appeared timed to coincide with peace talks in Geneva that have been dominated by a disagreement over Assad’s fate.

“A political transition is required to end the violence in Syria,” Obama said

DECLARING VICTORY

Syrian State TV quoted President Assad as saying that the collaboration between Russian and Syrian forces has secured “victories against terrorism and returned security to the country.”

Russia’s intervention in Syria’s conflict began in September.

Telephone conversation with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad https://t.co/C4Zrdq4wnh

— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) March 14, 2016

“The leaders noted that the actions of the Russian airforce allowed (them) to radically change the situation in the fight against terrorism, to disorganise the fighters’ infrastructure and inflict significant damage on them,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

“Taking that into account, the President of Russia stated that the main tasks set before the armed forces of Russia in Syria had been completed. It was agreed to carry out the withdrawal of the main part of Russia’s airforce contingent,” the statement said.

Air strikes ... A Syrian man stands in the courtyard of his farm as smoke billows in the background following reported air strikes near the rebel-held village of al-Chifouniya, on the outskirts of the capital Damascus. Picture: AFP

The two leaders, however, also agreed that Moscow would maintain its air force facility in Syria to help monitor the progress of a ceasefire in the war-torn country.

“Assad noted the professionalism, courage and heroism of the officers of the Russian armed forces that took part in the military operations and expressed deep appreciation to Russia,” the Kremlin statement said.

BY THE NUMBERS

President Putin didn’t specify how many planes and troops should be withdrawn. The number of Russian soldiers in Syria has not been revealed.

Since September, Moscow has deployed more than 50 jets and helicopters to its Hemeimeem air base, in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia, and they have operated at a frenetic pace, each flying several combat sorties on an average day.

Firm friends ... Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes the hand of Syrian President Bashar Assad last year. Picture: AP

Russia began its bombing campaign in support of Assad’s forces to help shore up the crumbling Syrian regime and put it back on the offensive.

A fresh round of talks to end Syria’s civil war opened in Geneva on Monday, but hopes for a breakthrough remained remote with the sides locked in a bitter dispute over the future of President Bashar al-Assad.

ICYMI: #Coalition airstrike destroys a #Daesh weapons storage facility in Hit, Iraq https://t.co/0rRVWbXgww pic.twitter.com/6KtybrMMnG

— Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) March 14, 2016

A temporary ceasefire in the country introduced on February 27 has largely held, despite accusations of violations from both sides, allowing aid to reach some 150,000 people living under siege.

Putin said he hoped the withdrawal of Russian troops will be a stimulus for a political resolution of the conflict.