There was a healthy amount of skepticism among Defense Department officials Monday over Russia’s proposed plan to withdraw its forces from Syria, noting Moscow’s spotty track record delivering on previous plans to scale down its military presence in the war-torn country.
During a surprise visit to Russia’s main military air hub in Syria, President Vladimir Putin announced the drawdown plan after a one-on-one meeting Monday with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
“The fact that we defeated [the Islamic State], one of the main terrorist groups, here in Syria is extremely important for Syria, Russia, and the entire world,” Mr. Putin told Mr. Assad during a meeting at Russia’s Khmeimim airbase, located in the southeast Syrian city of Latakia.
Monday’s meeting was part of Mr. Putin’s three-nation tour throughout the Middle East and North Africa, with additional meetings scheduled with senior leaders and military staff in Egypt and Turkey within the coming days.
“We will go beyond just restoring peaceful life and put in place a political process to resolve the situation in Syria in general,” the Russian leader added.
A number of Russian aircraft and military personnel have already left Syria, with plans to cut the the country’s armed footprint in the country by half over the next several months.
That said, Moscow will retain its main airbase in Latakia, as well as its major naval seaport based at the coastal city of Tartus indefinitely, Mr. Putin said.
Moscow is also reportedly in talks with Egypt to begin basing Russian warplanes out of the North African nation, a move that would significantly expand Russia’s strategic reach within the region.
Col. Rob Manning, a Defense Department spokesman, was hesitant to take Moscow at its word regarding any change in Russian troop levels in Syria.
“Russian comments about removal of their forces do not often correspond with actual troop reductions, and do not affect U.S. priorities in Syria,” Col. Manning told reporters at the Pentagon.
Monday’s announcement of a proposed drawdown of Russian forces in Syria is not the first time Moscow has vowed to ramp back its operations in the country.
Russia announced plans to draw down its forces in Syria last year, as part of a tentative ceasefire brokered by Moscow between anti-government forces and the Assad regime in March of that year. Russia again vowed to step back its military presence in Syria last May, after Syrian troops backed by Iranian paramilitaries and Russian air power, retook the rebel stronghold of Aleppo that month.
In both instances, Moscow’s significant military presence remained in place despite Russia’s assurances.
• Carlo Muñoz can be reached at cmunoz@washingtontimes.com.
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