Russia begins withdrawal from Syria: official

The Russian Defense Ministry is beginning to withdraw its forces from Syria following an official decree by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Tass reported on Friday.

“In accordance with the decision by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin, Russia’s Defense Ministry is starting to downsize the grouping of the armed forces in Syria,” said Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of General Staff, according to the report.

Gerasimov added that the first to leave will be the group of Admiral Kuznetsov, a naval aircraft carrier.

{mosads}”I would like to thank the staff of the aircraft carrier group for the success in implementing its tasks,” Gerasimov said, according to Tass. 

“I order the senior officer of the mission Vice-Admiral Viktor Sokolov to begin relocating the group today and move to the main fleet base of Severomorsk as per the plan approved earlier,” he added.

Putin’s decision to decrease Russia’s presence in the region was made at the recommendation of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, CNN reported.

The move comes after Moscow announced a new truce between the Syrian government and insurgent forces following years of civil war.