Russian Sukhoi Su-25 fighter jets take off as part of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Syria at Hmeymim airbase, Syria, March 16, 2016.

Russia will complete the withdrawal of most of its military contingent in Syria in two to three days, Russian Air Force Commander Viktor Bondarev said in an interview with the Komsomolskaya Pravda daily published on Thursday.

Syria’s opposition welcomed Russia’s announcement, saying a serious withdrawal would put pressure on Syrian authorities and give peace talks a positive impetus.

Russia’s partial withdrawal of forces from Syria is “a very positive step,” Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said, adding he hoped it would compel President Bashar al-Assad to make concessions.

Russia’s military intervention in Syria in September helped to turn the tide of war in Assad’s favor after months of gains in western Syria by rebel fighters, who were aided by foreign military supplies including US-made anti-tank missiles.

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