WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Leandra Bernstein — 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 Russian air groups as well as four attack aircraft had returned to Russia.
"I think it is too early to draw a conclusion, but clearly it changes the force ratios on the battlefield," Neller said on Wednesday, when asked to assess Russia’s withdrawal.
Neller continued that he does not have at present a particular evaluation of the Russian pullout from Syria.
"It will be interested to see what happens both politically, diplomatically, and tactically on the ground."
The US Marine Corps provides expeditionary forces in support of US Central Command, the combatant command responsible for military operations against Daesh in Syria and Iraq.
