Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria

President Vladimir Putin ordered the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during his surprise visit to the Russian air base in the war-torn country Monday.

Addressing Russian military servicemen at the Hemeimeem base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of Assad's Alawite minority, Putin said: "The task of fighting armed bandits here in Syria, a task that it was essential to solve with the help of extensive use of armed force, has for the most part, been solved and solved spectacularly."

"I congratulate you!" Putin told Russian servicemen after his meeting with regime leader Bashar Assad.

He was also quoted as saying that Russia would keep the Hemeimeem air base as well as a naval facility at the Syrian port of Tartous.

"In just over two years, the Russian Armed Forces, together with the [Assad regime] army, defeated the most capable group of international terrorists. Thereby, I made a decision -- a significant part of the Russian military contingent, based in the Syrian Arab Republic, is returning home, to Russia," Putin said.

Last week, Russia announced liberation of Syria from Daesh terrorist group -- a claim disputed by war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The visit marks Putin's first trip to Syria and comes as the Assad regime has retaken control over most of Syria under the Russian air cover.

The Hemeimeem air base has served as the main foothold for the air campaign Russia has waged since September 2015 in support of the regime.

Putin is scheduled to arrive in Ankara later on Monday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.