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Syria conflict: Russia 'starts to reduce forces' Syria conflict: Russia 'starts to reduce forces'
(35 minutes later)
Russia is starting to withdraw forces from Syria and its aircraft carrier group will be the first to leave, the Russian armed forces chief says.Russia is starting to withdraw forces from Syria and its aircraft carrier group will be the first to leave, the Russian armed forces chief says.
The announcement comes days after Russia and Turkey negotiated a ceasefire in Syria which is largely holding, according to the UN.The announcement comes days after Russia and Turkey negotiated a ceasefire in Syria which is largely holding, according to the UN.
Russian bombers have carried out heavy air strikes on anti-government rebels. Russia has carried out air strikes on anti-government rebels since 2015.
Russia's involvement is credited with turning the war in favour of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Moscow's involvement is credited with turning the war in favour of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"The Russian defence ministry is beginning to reduce its armed forces deployment in Syria," said Gen Valery Gerasimov announcing the drawdown of troops. Russian intervention - five key points
How bombing campaign paid off for Putin
Russia used Syria as live-fire training - US general
"In accordance with the decision of the supreme commander of the Russian armed forces Vladimir Putin, the Russian defence ministry is beginning the reduction of the armed deployment to Syria," Gen Valery Gerasimov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
The Russian naval flotilla is led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.The Russian naval flotilla is led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.
Russia first launched air strikes in Syria in September 2015, saying they were targeting the fighters of so-called Islamic State.
Last March, Russia announced it was withdrawing forces but continued air strikes.Last March, Russia announced it was withdrawing forces but continued air strikes.
End of a chapter, not an era - Jonathan Marcus, diplomatic correspondent, BBC News
This is not Russia's first "withdrawal" from Syria. In March 2016 President Putin announced the start of a pull-out. Some warplanes were flown out.
But Russia's military role continued and its air power remained decisive. Indeed, the full extent of Russia's involvement has never been made clear - this week a Russian open-source research organisation noted the deaths of three paratroopers in combat, the first public indication that Russian airborne forces were operating on the ground.
The initial phase of the Russian "draw-down" involves the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and its naval group, which has hardly played a major role in the fighting. Russia's stated intention is to build up its bases in Syria for the long-term but Mr Putin may be signalling that in Moscow's view, with the fall of Aleppo and the entrenchment of the Assad regime, one important phase of the fighting is over.