Putin begins withdrawal of military equipment from Syria

Russia has begun withdrawing its military equipment from Syria, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday, several hours after President Vladimir Putin announced on Monday evening the withdrawal of the larger part of the Russian military contingent from that country, reports the Patria News Agency.       

"Technicians have begun preparing aircraft for long flights to their bases in the Russian Federation," the ministry stated in a press release.

It adds that military personnel are currently loading equipment and materiel onto aircraft.

President Putin announced on Monday the withdrawal of the larger part of the military contingent deployed in Russia since September 30, thus ending a long series of bombings.

Moscow's sudden announcement came at a time when a new round of negotiations between representatives of the Damascus regime and the opposition was beginning in Geneva. This decision should contribute to increasing pressure on Bashar al-Assad's regime to reach a cessation of hostilities through negotiations, writes Index.