Putin orders withdrawal of Russian troops on surprise Syria visit

President Vladimir Putin ordered withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria during his surprise visit to the Russian air base in the war-torn country Monday.

According to Russian media, Putin's plane arrived at the Hemeimeem base in Syria's coastal province of Latakia, the heartland of Assad's Alawite minority.

"In just over two years, the Russian Armed Forces, together with the [Assad regime] army, defeated the most capable group of international terrorists. Thereby, I made a decision — a significant part of the Russian military contingent, based in the Syrian Arab Republic, is returning home, to Russia," Putin said.

The Russian president also met with Bashar al-Assad.

The visit marks Putin's first trip to Syria and comes as the Assad regime has retaken control over most of Syria under the Russian air cover.

The air base has served as the main foothold for the air campaign Russia has waged since September 2015 in support of the regime.

Putin is scheduled to arrive in Ankara later on Monday for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.