Putin Orders Withdrawal Of Russian Troops From Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the country’s defence minister to begin the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria.

Putin made the announcement during an unexpected visit to the Russian Hmeimim air base in Syria on Monday.

He was received by Syrian President Bashar Assad as he arrived at the base.

The Russian President had earlier in the year revealed plans to pull out the majority of Russian troops from Syria.

“I order the defence minister and the chief of general staff to start withdrawing the Russian group of troops to their permanent bases,” Mr Putin said, according to RIA Novosti news agency.

“I have taken a decision: a significant part of the Russian troop contingent located in Syria is returning home to Russia,” he added.

Mr Putin said that if “terrorists raise their heads again”, Russia would “carry out such strikes on them which they have never seen”.

“We will never forget the victims and losses suffered in the fight against terror both here in Syria and also in Russia,” he said.

He is also expected to meet with leaders of Egypt and Turkey.