Russia to pull back but not withdraw from Syria

Reuters is reporting that Russia is pulling back its military from posts in the Alawite Mountains in northern Syria.

Four Syrian officials told the news site that while Moscow is pulling back its presence from the front lines in the region, it is retaining its two main bases in the country - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia and the Tartous naval facility.

Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, who had forged close ties with Moscow, the future of the bases has been thrown into question.

A senior Syrian army officer in contact with the Russian military told Reuters that some equipment is being shipped back to Moscow, along with very senior officers from Assad's army, adding that the aim at this stage is to regroup and redeploy according to developments on the ground.

A senior rebel official told the news site that Russia's military presence in Syria is not currently being discussed by the new interim administration, adding that it "is a matter for future talks and the Syrian people will have the final say".

Reporting by Reuters