Russia’s Putin visits Syria airbase and orders start of pullout - BBC News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the partial withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria, during an unannounced visit there on Monday. Mr Putin was met by Syrian President Bashar Assad as he arrived at the Russian Hmeimim air base, Interfax news agency reports. He had already declared in March 2016 that he was planning to pull out the majority of Russian troops. The Russian leader was also due for talks in Egypt and Turkey. “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. Please subscribe HERE World In Pictures Big Hitters