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Russia to keep pounding 'terrorist targets' in Syria - Official
Russia has vowed to continue striking "terrorist targets" in Syria, even as its warplanes began landing back at their home air base under a pullout ordered by President Vladimir Putin.
AhlulBayt News Agency - Russia has vowed to continue striking "terrorist targets" in Syria, even as its warplanes began landing back at their home air base under a pullout ordered by President Vladimir Putin.
The United Nations envoy for Syria yesterday voiced hope it could positively influence peace talks. "The announcement by President Putin on the very day of the beginning of this round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva is a significant development," Mr Staffan de Mistura said.
Russia began its air strikes in September, helping Syrian government to regain territory from Saudi, Turkey, US-backed rebels. "It is still too early to speak of victory over terrorism. The Russian air group has a task of continuing to strike terrorist targets," Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Pankov said at the Hmeimim airbase in Syria, where Moscow's planes are based. Russia will leave air defences in place, including the S-400 anti-aircraft system to protect its remaining forces in Syria.
President Putin's shock announcement on Monday came after talks with Mr Assad and also a phone call to US President Barack Obama.
The Russian leader "is showing he's a statesman", said Professor Joshua Landis, director of the Centre for Middle East studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Most Russian media hailed the pullout as a political victory for Mr Putin although some commentators suggested other motives.
