News Analysis: Russian forces' withdrawal could push forward political process: analyst

Russia's surprising decision to withdraw forces from Syria is seen by analysts as a move to push forward the political process in Syria, particularly warring parties are meeting in Geneva hoping to hammer out a political track to end the long-running conflict.

The Russian decision aims to "help pushing forward the political solution in Syria, because Russia is opening the road before the opposition and the United States to commit to what is being agreed upon," Hussam Shuaib, a Syrian political analyst told Xinhua.

On Monday evening, Syria's state news agency SANA broke the news about the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria, prompting many speculations and rumors.

SANA said the decision was agreed upon between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after speaking over the phone on Monday evening.

To douse cold water on the hot rumors, SANA said the decision was "carefully studied and coordinated" between Moscow and Damascus, denying reports of a possible dispute as Russian air forces have been backing the Syrian army by effectively striking positions of the extremist rebels since last September.

Syria's Information Minister Omran al-Zoubi also stressed that the reasons behind the Russian decision were the progress of the Syrian army against the terror groups, the progress on the national reconciliation file, and the currently established cessation of hostilities.

He reaffirmed that "there is no change in the political and military relation between Syria and Russia."

The minister described the Russian move as a "political stance to push the political process in Syria" and a "trust-building step to push the opposition and its Western backers to commit to any understanding."

The Syrian oppositions, particularly the exiled ones, have welcomed the Russian move, saying the decision, if serious, will give the peace talks in Geneva a strong and positive push.

The spokesman of the Higher Negotiation Committees, Salem al-Muslet, said "If there was a serious step ... that will change a lot."

Mahmud Muri, a Syrian opposition figure, told Xinhua in Damascus that Russia's withdrawal will surely be conducive in pushing forward the political solution.

"I think that Russia is trying to strip the opposition in Geneva from any pretext in the planned meeting on Tuesday," he added.

Anas Joudeh, the head of the oppositional Nation Building Movement, said "policies of countries don't change overnight."

"The withdrawal of the Russian forces means a stability in the military situation, and a confidence in the balance of power, as there are no big battles, except for the Islamic State group," as a result of the truce.

The move means "giving weight to the political process," he added.

Big hopes are pinned on the talks currently underway in Geneva, given the successful ceasefire and the granted humanitarian access, both as the basis to strong negotiations.

The Russian strikes in Syria have largely boosted the morale of the Syrian army. The latter has managed to recapture key areas from the rebels under Russian air cover.

Reports said Russia will maintain the operation room in Hmaimim airbase for its warplanes, and a naval base in the city of Tartus for the Russian forces. Endit