BICOM

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the partial withdrawal of Russian military personnel from Syria during a visit to the country yesterday.

In an unannounced visit to Syria, en route to Egypt and Turkey, Putin toured the Hmeimim base near Latakia in Syria where he was met by Syria President Bashar al-Assad.

Addressing Russian servicemen gathered at the base, he said that “the task of fighting armed bandits here in Syria, a task that was essential to solve with the help of extensive use of armed force, has for the most part, been solved and solved spectacularly. I congratulate you. You have shown the best qualities of a Russian soldier”.

He went on to say: “I have taken a decision; a significant part of the Russian troop contingent located in Syria is returning home to Russia.”

This is not the first time Putin has declared his intention to withdraw troops from Syria. Putin said two Russian bases in the country, Hmeimim and Tartus, would continue to operate despite the draw-down. Russia has leased the Hmeimim airbase from Syria for 49 years.

When asked how long it would take Russia to withdraw its military contingent, Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu said that it would “depend on the situation” in Syria.

Putin’s visit came two days after the Iraqi military said in a statement that it had “fully liberated” all of Iraq’s territory of “ISIS terrorist gangs” in Syria.

After meeting with al-Assad, Putin flew to Cairo for talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, where he announced that direct flights between the two countries would shortly resume, for the first time since a Russian passenger plane travelling from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg was destroyed in mid-air, killing all 224 passengers more than two years ago.

The two leaders also signed an agreement for Russia to build Egypt’s first nuclear power plant in El-Dabaa, approximately 80 miles northwest of Cairo.

Putin then met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey. Erdogan said US President Donald Trump’s Jerusalem announcement was “destabilising,” saying that “both Russia and Turkey think the decision of the US to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel is not helping the situation in the Middle East. It is destabilising the region and wiping out the prospect of peace”.

Erdogan also announced that the deal to purchase Russian made s-400 missiles will be finalised this week.