Middle East

Putin Orders Drawdown Of Russian Troops In Syria

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday he had ordered the withdrawal of most Russian forces from Syria.

Putin Orders Drawdown Of Russian Troops In Syria
Getty Images / Clive Mason

Russian forces are partially pulling out of Syria. 

In September, Russia started bombing what it called terrorist targets — including ISIS. But Western powers have accused Russia of instead going after U.S.-backed rebel forces. 

Russian strikes have killed over 4,000 people including some 1,700 civilians, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

President Vladimir Putin announced Monday he’d ordered the gradual withdrawal, saying Russia has "achieved its goals." 

Russia’s involvement over the past several months has majorly shifted the balance of power in favor of Russian ally Bashar al-Assad

Putin said his unexpected announcement would send a "good signal" to those involved in Syria’s peace talks, which reconvened Monday. 

This video includes images from Russian Ministry of DefenseKremlin and the Office of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.