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| Syria conflict: Russia's Putin orders 'main part' of forces out | Syria conflict: Russia's Putin orders 'main part' of forces out |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the "main part" of its forces in Syria from Tuesday. | In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the "main part" of its forces in Syria from Tuesday. |
| He said the Russian intervention had largely achieved its objectives. | He said the Russian intervention had largely achieved its objectives. |
| The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict. | The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict. |
| Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his office said in a statement he had agreed to the move. | Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his office said in a statement he had agreed to the move. |
| The pullout was "in accordance with the situation on the ground", the statement said. | The pullout was "in accordance with the situation on the ground", the statement said. |
| Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria last September, tipping the balance in favour of the Syrian government and allowing it to recapture territory from rebels. | Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria last September, tipping the balance in favour of the Syrian government and allowing it to recapture territory from rebels. |
| "I consider the mission set for the defence ministry and the armed forces on the whole has been accomplished," Mr Putin said in a meeting at the Kremlin. | "I consider the mission set for the defence ministry and the armed forces on the whole has been accomplished," Mr Putin said in a meeting at the Kremlin. |
| "I am therefore ordering the defence ministry to begin the withdrawal of the main part of our military force from the Syrian Arab Republic from tomorrow." | "I am therefore ordering the defence ministry to begin the withdrawal of the main part of our military force from the Syrian Arab Republic from tomorrow." |
| Analysis by Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent | Analysis by Jonathan Marcus, BBC diplomatic correspondent |
| Mr Putin is effectively saying "job done" in Syria. He is clear, though, that a Russian air base and a naval base will remain, so this is not a total military pull-out. | Mr Putin is effectively saying "job done" in Syria. He is clear, though, that a Russian air base and a naval base will remain, so this is not a total military pull-out. |
| Coinciding with the Syria peace talks, it is yet another sign of Mr Putin's mastery of diplomatic showmanship. | Coinciding with the Syria peace talks, it is yet another sign of Mr Putin's mastery of diplomatic showmanship. |
| Russia has about 30 combat aircraft in Syria and a small ground component protecting them, along with an unspecified number of Russian advisers and special forces on the ground, operating with the Syrian military. | Russia has about 30 combat aircraft in Syria and a small ground component protecting them, along with an unspecified number of Russian advisers and special forces on the ground, operating with the Syrian military. |
| Russia's intervention has achieved its main goals - consolidating President Assad's position, enabling his forces to re-take key pieces of strategic territory and ensuring that Mr Assad remains a factor in any future Syrian settlement. | Russia's intervention has achieved its main goals - consolidating President Assad's position, enabling his forces to re-take key pieces of strategic territory and ensuring that Mr Assad remains a factor in any future Syrian settlement. |
| Mr Putin 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". | Mr Putin 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". |
| Syria's opposition cautiously welcomed the Russian announcement. | Syria's opposition cautiously welcomed the Russian announcement. |
| "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 umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee. | "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 umbrella group, the High Negotiations Committee. |
| The US also gave a guarded response. | The US also gave a guarded response. |
| "We will have to see exactly what Russia's intentions are," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. | "We will have to see exactly what Russia's intentions are," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. |
| What did Russia achieve in Syria? | |
| Source: Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, quoted by Russian media | |
| Separately, US officials quoted by Reuters news agency said Washington had received no advance warning of Mr Putin's statement. | Separately, US officials quoted by Reuters news agency said Washington had received no advance warning of Mr Putin's statement. |
| Speaking in October last year, Mr Putin said Russia aimed to "stabilise the legitimate authority" of President Assad by intervening and "create conditions for a political compromise". | Speaking in October last year, Mr Putin said Russia aimed to "stabilise the legitimate authority" of President Assad by intervening and "create conditions for a political compromise". |
| Russia has long insisted its bombing campaign only targets terrorist groups but Western powers have complained the raids hit political opponents of President Assad. | Russia has long insisted its bombing campaign only targets terrorist groups but Western powers have complained the raids hit political opponents of President Assad. |
| The UN's envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura has meanwhile described the latest peace talks as a "moment of truth". | The UN's envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura has meanwhile described the latest peace talks as a "moment of truth". |
| He said there was no "plan B" should the talks fail, with the only alternative a return to war. | He said there was no "plan B" should the talks fail, with the only alternative a return to war. |
| A cessation of hostilities agreed by most participants in the conflict began late last month - but there have been reports of some violations on all sides. | A cessation of hostilities agreed by most participants in the conflict began late last month - but there have been reports of some violations on all sides. |
| In the latest fighting, Syrian government forces are reported to have advanced on so-called Islamic State's (IS) positions near the world heritage site of Palmyra. | In the latest fighting, Syrian government forces are reported to have advanced on so-called Islamic State's (IS) positions near the world heritage site of Palmyra. |