Russia is starting to withdraw forces from Syria and its aircraft carrier group will be the first to leave, the Russian armed forces chief says, quoted by BBC.

The announcement comes days after Russia and Turkey negotiated a ceasefire in Syria which is largely holding, according to the UN.

Russian bombers have carried out heavy air strikes on anti-government rebels.

Russia's involvement is credited with turning the war in favour of its ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"In accordance with the decision of the supreme commander of the Russian armed forces Vladimir Putin, the Russian defence ministry is beginning the reduction of the armed deployment to Syria," Gen Valery Gerasimov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.

The Russian naval flotilla is led by the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

Russia first launched air strikes in Syria in September 2015, saying they were targeting the fighters of so-called Islamic State. bla

Last March, Russia announced it was withdrawing forces but continued air strikes. 

The initial phase of the Russian "draw-down" involves the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov and its naval group, which has hardly played a major role in the fighting. Russia's stated intention is to build up its bases in Syria for the long-term but Mr Putin may be signalling that in Moscow's view, with the fall of Aleppo and the entrenchment of the Assad regime, one important phase of the fighting is over.

Source: BBC