Syria update - BBC Video

Syria conflict: Russia 'to continue air strikes' after withdrawal

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• 2 hours ago
• From the section Middle EastMedia captionVideo showed the first group of Russian jets leaving Syria according to Russia's Defence Ministry

Russia will continue air strikes in Syria despite the withdrawal of most of its forces, a senior official has said.

Deputy Defence Minister Nikolay Pankov said it was too early to speak of defeating terrorism, after a campaign that has bolstered Syria's government.
Russian forces started leaving Syria on Tuesday after Monday's surprise announcement by President Vladimir Putin. Some have now landed in Russia.
A second day of peace talks is being held aimed at resolving the conflict.
UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, who is mediating in the talks, welcomed the Russian decision.

"The announcement by President Putin on the very day of the beginning of this round of Intra-Syrian Talks in Geneva is a significant development, which we hope will have a positive impact on the progress of the negotiations," he said.

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Russian defence ministry video showed the first group of aircraft taking off from Hmeimim air base in Syria on Tuesday morning and in flight.
Hours later, Russian TV showed planes arriving in the southern Russian city of Voronezh, where they were greeted on the tarmac by priests and crowds waving balloons.
Su-24 tactical bombers, Su-25 attack fighters, Su-34 strike fighters and helicopters were returning home, the TV said.