Putin declares win for troops in Syria
Russian leader sees partial withdrawal; Pentagon skeptical.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared “victory” in Syria during a surprise visit Monday to a military base there, then traveled to Egypt and Turkey, where he celebrated Moscow’s deepening ties with those key regional powers.
The tour highlighted Russia’s expanded reach in the Middle East and the global clout of its leader, who announced last week he is seeking re-election for another six-year term in March.
Speaking to Russian troops at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria, Putin talked of the triumph over “terrorists” and announced a partial pullout of Russian troops.
“You have shown the best qualities of a Russian soldier — courage, valor, team spirit, decisiveness and excellent skills,” he said in televised remarks to the troops. “The Motherland is proud of you.”
Putin praised Russia’s effort to help President Bashar Assad’s forces gain the upper hand over the Islamic State group and Syrian rebels.
“Here in Syria, far away from our borders, you helped the Syrian people to preserve their state and fend off attacks by terrorists,” Putin said. “You have dealt a devastating blow to those who blatantly threatened our country.”
Putin also said he had ordered the military to withdraw a “significant part” of the Russian contingent in Syria. “Friends, the Motherland is waiting for you,” he told the troops. “You are coming back home with victory!”
Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the Russian commander in Syria, said the military will pull out 23 warplanes, two helicopter gunships, special forces units, military police and field engineers. The remaining forces will be sufficient to “successfully fulfill the tasks” to stabilize the situation in Syria, he said.
The Pentagon expressed skepticism about the statements on the withdrawal of troops and equipment. Army Col. Rob Manning, a Pentagon spokesman, said Russian statements “do not often correspond” with actual troop reductions.
Manning said the withdrawal comments would have no impact on the U.S. and coalition fight against Islamic State extremists.
Putin’s trip to the Middle East comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, upending decades of U.S. policy.
Putin said the move “doesn’t help the Mideast settlement and, just the other way around, destabilizes the already difficult situation in the region.”