Putin orders surprise Syria withdrawal

In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the "main part" of its forces in Syria from Tuesday.

He said the Russian intervention had largely achieved its objectives.

The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict.

Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his office said in a statement he had agreed to the move.

The pullout was "in accordance with the situation on the ground", the statement said...
 BBC
14/3/16