Russian air base prepares to withdraw jets from Syria
Russia's defence ministry has said personnel at its air base in Syria are preparing for some of the planes and fighter jets to return home.
The statement came a day after President Vladimir Putin (pictured) ordered the military to withdraw most of its forces from Syria, timing his move to coincide with the resumption of Syria peace talks in Geneva.
The ministry said troops are loading equipment on cargo planes and getting ready for the withdrawal, which marks an end to Russia's five-and-a-half-month air campaign.
Russian air strikes have allowed Syrian premier Bashar Assad's army to win back some key ground and strengthen his positions ahead of the Geneva talks.
With Russia's main goals in Syria achieved, the pullback will allow the Russian president to pose as a peacemaker and help ease tensions with Nato member Turkey and the Gulf monarchies angered by Moscow's military action.
At the same time, Mr Putin made it clear that Moscow will maintain its air base and a naval facility in Syria and keep some troops there.
The Syrian presidency said Mr Assad and Mr Putin spoke on the phone on Monday and agreed that Russia would scale back its forces in Syria. It rejected speculation that the decision reflected a rift between the allies and said the decision reflected the "successes" the two armies have achieved in fighting terrorism and restoring peace to key areas.
The Syrian army said it would continue operations against Islamic State, the Nusra Front and other terrorist organisations "with the same tempo".
"With the tasks set before the Defence Ministry and the military largely fulfilled, I'm ordering the defence minister to start the pullout of the main part of our group of forces from Syria, beginning tomorrow," Mr Putin said on Monday.
He informed US President Barack Obama of his move in a phone call, emphasising the importance of US-Russian co-ordination "for preserving the ceasefire, ensuring humanitarian aid deliveries to the blockaded settlements and conducting an efficient struggle against terrorist groups", according to the Kremlin, which added that the conversation was "business-like and frank".
Mr Putin did not specify how many planes and troops would be withdrawn. The number of Russian soldiers in Syria has not been revealed, but US estimates of the number of Russian military personnel in Syria vary from 3,000 to 6,000.
Russia 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. Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Mr Putin that thanks to Russian air support the Syrian military has extended its control to 400 towns and villages over an area of 10,000 square kilometres.
State TV quoted Mr Assad as saying that the collaboration between Russian and Syrian forces had secured "victories against terrorism and returned security to the country".
A White House statement said Mr Obama welcomed Moscow's move, but also noted continued sporadic violence and urged Mr Putin to pressure the Syrian regime to stop offensive actions that could undermine the fragile truce.
