What Russia's withdrawal means for Syria conflict

Political leaders and Syria watchers are at odds over the impact of the partial withdrawal of Russian forces from the war-torn country and what kind of dynamics it could bring to the chaotic scene there.

In a surprise announcement on March 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the major part of his country's forces would be pulling out of Syria because Moscow had succeeded in enabling Syrian government forces and their allies to turn the tide of the conflict in favor of the regime. Last September, Russia had deployed fighter jets and warships, as well as some of an expected 4,000 troops to protect its military installations and assist government forces. It also deployed advanced S-400 missile defense systems in November after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane allegedly for having crossed into Turkish airspace.

Salih Muslim, co-leader of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which administers much of northern Syria, including the Kurdish-dominated areas, told Al-Monitor that the Russian withdrawal will be positive for the country.

“It will help with the resolution process,” he said, referring to ongoing efforts to broker a deal between the regime of President Bashar al-Assad and armed opposition groups. “It will pressure the Syrian regime … and create some trust. The Russian intervention had strengthened the regime.”