Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed Russia’s military forces returning from Syria, saying their achievements in the militant-riddled Arab country has laid the ground for peace there.
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Russian warplanes are conducting 20 to 25 sorties a day to support the Syrian army’s attempt to reconquer the ancient city of Palmyra, Lt. Gen. Sergei Rudskoi, a spokesman for the Russian military’s General Staff, said Friday.
Russia’s backing allowed Syrian forces to free 400 populated areas and over 10,000 square kilometers [3,860 square miles], Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said when he reported to Putin on March 14, adding that terrorists had been forced out of Latakia and Aleppo provinces while Palmyra was “blocked”. While praising cooperation with the United States in negotiating the truce, Putin warned that the Russian military remaining in Syria would be ready to act against any groups that would violate the cease-fire.
With regard to recent move of the Kurds planning to declare a federal system in northern Syria, Zakharova said Syria’s state structure should be decided through inclusive political dialogues and negotiations over the country’s constitution. He also said that the balance of power between Assad and his enemies “will be ensured” despite the Russian pullout, suggesting that the Kremlin remains committed to preventing the ouster of Assad by force, even if that means another Russian deployment.
Earlier Thursday, the commander of the Russian Air Force said the withdrawal of the bulk of the Russian forces from Syria should be complete in two to three days.
IS seized Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in eastern Syria known as the “Pearl of the Desert”, last May, sending shock waves across the world.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced a partial withdrawal of Russian forces from Syria, where they have been backing Moscow’s close ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
He also said said the government delegation had informed UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura about its ideas and views as to basic elements for a political settlement. Though Putin claimed the intention of his intervention in Syria was to halt the Islamic State, she said it’s clear by his deliberate targeting of Syrian opposition forces that he was presenting a facade.
The Defense Ministry has spent 33 billion rubles ($482 million) on operations in Syria and additional funds may be needed to top up military arsenals after the campaign, Putin said.
The Russians have directed their operations mainly against Western-backed anti-government rebels while a US-led coalition has been waging an air campaign against the IS group.
Four Russian servicemen were killed in action in Syria since September 30, when Moscow began its aerial campaign.
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Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday he’ll travel to Moscow next week for meetings about the Russian military withdrawal and the Geneva talks. In particular, he said he hoped that Palmyra would soon fall to Assad.
