Photo: tass.ru
MOSCOW, 15 March (BelTA - TASS) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued an order to begin withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria starting from March 15.
"I think that the tasks set to the defense ministry are generally fulfilled. That is why I order to begin withdrawal of most of our military group from Syria starting from tomorrow," Putin said on Monday at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
In Putin's words, during their operation in Syria, Russian military have demonstrated professionalism and teamwork, having performed all the set tasks.
"Besides, our military, soldiers and officers demonstrated professionalism, teamwork and ability to organize combat work far away from their territory, having no common borders with the theater of war," he said.
During the operation in Syria, Russia managed to create even if a small, but efficient military alighment of multiple-type forces and means, the president said. "Efficient work of our military has created conditions for the start of a peace process," the president said.
"With the participation of Russian military, Syrian troops and patriotic forces in Syria have managed to turn the tide in fight against international terrorism and take the initiative on practically all directions," Putin stated.
Russian bases in Syria's Tartus and Khmeimim are to continue operating in routine regime, the president went on to say.
"Our bases - the naval base in Tartus and the airbase at the Khmeimim airfield - will operate in a routine mode. They are to be safely protected from the land, from the sea and from air," he told the defense and foreign ministers.
Those Russian servicemen who will stay in Syria will be engaged in monitoring the ceasefire regime, Putin added.
Russia's aerospace forces launched pinpoint strikes against the Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra targets in Syria on September 30 after the Federation Council upper parliament house unanimously approved President Vladimir Putin's request for the use of the armed forces against terrorists in Syria.
The Russian air group in Syria comprises more than 50 warplanes and helicopters, including Su-34 and Su-24M bombers, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-30SM fighters and Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters. Air strikes have been delivered at military hardware, communications centers, transport vehicles, munitions depots and other terrorist infrastructure facilities. The military operation has been conducted at the request of Syrian President Bashar Assad.
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