The withdrawal of US forces from northern
Syria was a win for President
Vladimir Putin, strengthening Russia's role as the key foreign player in the war-torn country.
Russian officials said Tuesday they were working with
Turkey to avoid confrontation with pro-regime forces in northern Syria, where
Turkish troops have moved in against Kurdish fighters.
Syrian government troops -- backed by
Russian forces since
Moscow launched an intervention in 2015 -- have also moved into the north under a deal reached with the Kurds.