Vladimir Putin To Withdraw Troops From Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that he is to partially withdraw Russian troops from Syria.

The announcement came during an unexpected visit to the nation by the President this morning.

Mr Putin was greeted by Syrian President Bashar Assad as he arrived at the Russian Hmeimim air base.

According to RIA Novosti news agency, the president said:

"I order the defence minister and the chief of general staff to start withdrawing the Russian group of troops to their permanent bases."

"I have taken a decision: a significant part of the Russian troop contingent located in Syria is returning home to Russia."

The visit to Syria is the president’s first, and comes as Mr Assad’s government forces regained control over the majority of the country, with Russian air cover.

In a televised speech to the Russian troops at the base, the Russian leader hailed their "excellent" performance in Syria. He said: 

"You have shown the best qualities of a Russian soldier, courage, valour, team spirit, decisiveness and excellent skills."

"The Motherland is proud of you."

Russia launched its air campaign in Syria at the end of September 2015, when Mr Assad's government was teetering on the brink of collapse, and quickly changed the course of the conflict in his favour.

Russian officials say troops in Syria were there mainly to fight "terrorists" including militants of the Islamic State group and al Qaida affiliates, but they also heavily targeted other rebel factions opposed to Mr Assad, allowing his troops to claw back significant territory over the past two years.

Mr Putin has hosted Mr Assad twice in the past six years, including a surprise November 21 visit that Mr Assad undertook to the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Russian television stations showed Mr Putin walking off the plane at the air base, embracing and shaking hands with Mr Assad.

The two then visited a military operations room at the base.

The Hemeimeem base, located in a region that is the heartland of Mr Assad's Alawite minority, has served as the main foothold for the Russian military campaign in Syria.

"Here in Syria, far away from our borders, you helped the Syrian people to preserve their state and fend off attacks by terrorists," Mr Putin said, facing the troops lined up on the tarmac.

"You have dealt a devastating blow to those who blatantly threatened our country.

"We will never forget about the victims who fell in the fight against terror both here and in Russia."

In his speech, Mr Putin also said that he had ordered the military to withdraw a "significant part" of the Russian contingent in Syria.

"Friends, the Motherland is waiting for you," Mr Putin said.

"You are coming back home with victory!"

He added that "if the terrorists again raise their heads, we will deal such blows to them they have never seen".

Mr Putin, however, said the Russian military will maintain its presence at Hemeimeem and the naval facility in Tartus.