Putin orders withdrawal of Russian air forces deployed in Syria

The Russian air forces deployed in Syria would start withdrawal from March 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday at a meeting with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Putin said the decision was discussed and coordinated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, adding that "the fundamental tasks set for the Russian armed forced in Syria were resolved," according to an online Kremlin press release.

"It was agreed to withdraw main body of the Russian air forces. At the same time Russia would preserve an air flight control center in Syrian territory to monitor the ceasefire regime," the press release said.