Russia withdraws from Hama-based camp: local monitor

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Russia has withdrawn most heavy vehilces in Jebt Beit Ridha camp in Hama province late on Tuesday in an implement to the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s order of a partial withdrawal from Syria, local monitor told Zaman al-Wasl.

Abu Sutaif al-Khatabbi, director of Observatory 80, said Russia had withdrawn most heavy vehicles from the camp that was set up last September. And what have been left were only two cannons, rocket launcher and some light weapons, he added.

According to the Pentagon, the U.S. military has observed less than 10 Russian aircraft departing Syria earlier Tuesday. “But we've not seen a large contingent of Russian forces leave,” Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook told reporters.

According to Cook, Russian jets continued to engage in some strikes in Syria, mostly on Daesh-controlled areas.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, "The earliest indications are that the Russians are following through, but it’s still too early to determine on this point what impact it will have on the broader situation."

Earnest told reporters that Russia did not notify Washington about the withdrawal in advance but noted that the U.S. is monitoring the military movement in the Syria.