This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/412690-putin-syria-comes-khmeimim/

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during surprise visit to Khmeimim Airbase Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during surprise visit to Khmeimim Airbase
(35 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise visit to Khmeimim Airbase in Syria’s Latakia province on Monday morning. He ordered the start of the withdrawal of Russian troops from the country. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria. He gave the command during a surprise visit to Khmeimim Airbase in Syria’s Latakia province on Monday morning.
READ MORE: Watch Putin visit Russian troops at Syria’s Khmeimim Airbase (VIDEO)
The Russian president was met by his Syrian counterpart, Bashar Assad, and Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu at the airbase, which houses Russian forces assisting Syria in the battle against Islamic State terrorists (IS, formerly ISIS).
“I order the defense minister and chief of the general staff to start the withdrawal of Russian troops to the site of their permanent deployment," Putin stated, speaking in front of Russian military personnel at Khmeimim.“I order the defense minister and chief of the general staff to start the withdrawal of Russian troops to the site of their permanent deployment," Putin stated, speaking in front of Russian military personnel at Khmeimim.
DETAILS TO FOLLOW The Russian leader said that in the space of two years the Russian and Syrian militaries have “defeated the most battle-hardened grouping of international terrorists.” Putin added that he had made the decision that a significant number of the Russian military contingent in Syria should return to Russia.
He warned that should the terrorists try to “rear their heads” in Syria again, Russia will strike them as “they have never seen before.”
After a short visit to Syria, the Russian president headed for Cairo, where he is scheduled to hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.