Putin hints at pulling out foreign armed forces from Syria

Moscow [Russia], May 20 (ANI): Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart on Saturday that foreign armed forces would soon leave Syria.

As reported by CNN, the two leaders hailed the beginning of a "political process" in Syria to fight off terrorism.

Putin said in a statement that "Foreign armed forces will be withdrawn from the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic."

He further acknowledged the victory of Syria in fighting off terrorism.

"We presume that, in connection with the significant victories and success of the Syrian army in the fight against terrorism, with the onset of a more active part", Putin added.

A group of countries including the United States, Turkey, Russia, and Iran had deployed their troops in Syria. Russia also emerged as Assad's most powerful support and it intervened on his behalf in 2015.

Further, Iran has also been a permanent ally of President Assad.

Assad's visit comes just over a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's trip to Moscow.

It has been reported that Russia is unlikely to intervene in Israel's actions in Syria, despite Russia's condemnation of Israel's latest airstrikes on May 9.

Earlier on May 5 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkish armed forces will continue staying in Syria.

Later on April 25, United States President Donald Trump said that he would "love to go out from Syria".

Syria has been reeling under an eight-year-long civil war when the Syrian army went on to crackdown the democratic forces in the nation. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI