Russia to withdraw 'major' military forces from Syria on Vladimir Putin's orders

QUICK PILL

• Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the military to withdraw the main part of their forces in Syria, stating they had largely achieved their goals.

• Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has been at loggerheads with western powers over its involvement in Syria.

President Vladimir Putin of Russia has apparently ordered the start of a military withdrawal from Syria, Russia's state news media reported on Monday.

Russian forces have been bombing insurgent enemies of the Bashar al-Assad's government and ISIS for five months.

Meanwhile, the state news reports also added that Putin telephoned President Bashar al-Assad of Syria to inform him of the decision to withdraw starting on Tuesday, as the Syrian conflict enters its sixth year.

"I consider the objectives that have been set for the Defense Ministry to be generally accomplished," Putin was quoted as saying by the Russia Today.

"That is why I order to start withdrawal of the main part of our military group from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic starting from tomorrow," he said during a meeting, as reported by Guardian.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and has been at loggerheads with western powers over its involvement in Syria.

Its entry into the Syrian war stuck the balance in favour of the Syrian government, allowing it to recapture territory from rebels.