Russia pulls out from Syria

In a surprise move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his military to start withdrawing the “main part” of its forces in Syria.He said the Russian intervention had largely achieved its objectives.The comments come amid fresh peace talks in Geneva aimed at resolving the five-year Syrian conflict.Russia is a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose office said in a statement he had agreed to the move.Russia began its campaign of air strikes in Syria last September, tipping the balance in favour of the Syrian government and allowing it to recapture territory from rebels.