A senior military official in the U.S. Department of Defense said Russian forces have begun a gradual withdrawal from several areas in Syria, including all levels of combat.

He added that the withdrawals were carried out in coordination with the Syrian army, and also included the Russian air base in Khamim, in the rural area of Latakia, and included infantry, engineering and air force units.

There have recently been conflicting reports of Russian withdrawals from Syria, between denial and approval, but the Moscow Times confirmed a few days ago that withdrawals had been made from several areas.