俄罗斯部分空军将撤离叙利亚
The Russian air forces deployed in Syria would start withdrawal from March 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.
俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京周一表示，俄方部署于叙利亚的空军部队将于3月15日开始撤退。
Putin said the decision was discussed and coordinated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a phone conversation earlier in the day, adding that "the fundamental tasks set for the Russian armed forced in Syria were resolved."
"It was agreed to withdraw main body of the Russian air forces. At the same time Russia would preserve an air flight control center in Syrian territory to monitor the ceasefire regime," according to an online Kremlin press release.
According to Putin, Russia's naval base in Syria's coastal city of Tartus, as well as the Hmeimim airbase southeast of Syria's Latakia city, would continue operation in a routine mode.
"A part of our military group has been traditionally deployed in Syria for many years and now it will be tasked to fulfill a very important job of monitoring the ceasefire regime and creating conditions for peace process," Putin added.
"I hope today's decision (of withdrawal) will be a good signal for all conflicting parties. I hope it will considerably increase trust of all participants in the process," Putin said during a meeting with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.