WASHINGTON, March 17 (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein – The overall impact of Russia’s withdrawal of forces from Syria is yet to be seen, but it will reshape the battlespace in the country, US Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller told Sputnik.
“I think it is too early to draw a conclusion, but clearly it changes the force ratios on the battlefield,” Neller said when asked to assess Russia’s withdrawal.
Neller added that while he does not have a particular evaluation of the Russian pullback, “it will be interested to see what happens both politically, diplomatically, and tactically on the ground.”
On Monday, Russian President Vladmir Putin ordered the withdrawal of the large part of Russian forces from Syria, stating that they had accomplished their anti-terrorism mission. By Wednesday, two air groups as well as four attack aircraft had returned to Russia.
The US Marine Corps provides expeditionary forces in support of US Central Command, the combatant command responsible for military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
http://sputniknews.com/military/20160317/1036429573/russia-pullout-syria.html
