What Is Happening In Syria? Russian Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuznetsov Naval Group First To Leave In Drawdown

Russia has begun withdrawing some of its troops from Syria with its aircraft carrier group being the first to leave, the chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff said Friday.

The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier naval group is set out to leave the waters of the troubled country from the Mediterranean to Severomorsk in Russia’s northern Murmansk region, Gen. Valery Gerasimov said.

“In accordance with the decision by Supreme Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Putin, Russia’s Defense Ministry is starting to downsize the grouping of the armed forces in Syria,” Gerasimov said, according to Tass news agency.

Russia began its air campaign on the Islamic State group in Syria in late 2015. However, the Kremlin — an ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad — drew criticism for reportedly targeting Kurdish rebels instead of the militant group. The Kurdish rebels are against the Assad regime in the troubled country and are supported by the U.S. and its allies.

This is not the first time Russia has withdrawn its forces from Syria. Last March, Putin announced that the country would pull back some its troops, following which some warplanes were flown out.

The development comes a week after Russia and Turkey brokered a ceasefire in Syria. Political negotiations between the two countries would reportedly begin in Kazakhstan, if the ceasefire is successful.

Separately, Gerasimov also said Friday that liberation of the Syrian city of Aleppo may form the basis for the peaceful settlement in Syria.

“The successes of the Syrian armed forces for the liberation of Aleppo have created necessary conditions for the peaceful settlement of the conflict. This was vividly confirmed by the conclusion of an agreement on halting hostilities on the territory of Syria,” Gerasimov said. “I’m confident that it will lay the basis for the political settlement of the conflict."