Russia likely to reduce troops in Syria before year-end: military chief
Source: Reuters
NOVEMBER 23, 2017 / 9:09 AM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO
SOCHI, Russia (Reuters) - The size of Russia’s military force in Syria is likely to be significantly reduced and a drawdown could start before the end of the year, the chief of the Russian military general staff said on Thursday.
Russia’s military support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, notably through air strikes, has been crucial in defeating Islamic State and Syrian opposition forces.
“There is very little left to do before the completion of military objectives. Of course, a decision will be made by the supreme commander-in-chief and the deployment will be reduced,” Valery Gerasimov told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and military top brass in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Gerasimov said forces would likely be “substantially” reduced but leave Russia with two military bases, a ceasefire-monitoring center and “a number of necessary structures to support the situation which has developed” in Syria.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-russia-military/russia-likely-to-reduce-troops-in-syria-before-year-end-military-chief-idUSKBN1DN1IS?il=0
