President Vladimir Putin has visited a Russian military air base in Syria, declaring victory and announcing a partial pullout of his forces.

Mr Putin’s surprise visit marked his first trip to Syria, drawing a symbolic line under the campaign that has shored up President Bashar Assad’s government.

It was also the first visit by a foreign head of state to war-ravaged Syria since its bloodletting began nearly seven years ago.

Mr Putin’s brief stop at the Hemeimeem air base in Syria’s coastal province of Latakia en route to Egypt came days after the Russian president declared his bid to run for re-election in a March 18 vote, helping encourage the feelings of pride about Russia’s revived global clout and prestige.

It also followed the Russian announcement last week that the Syrian army, with the help of Russian airstrikes, routed the Islamic State group in eastern Syria and fully restored control over the country’s border with Iraq.

The Russian leader hailed his “excellent” performance in Syria, saying “You have shown the best qualities of a Russian soldier, courage, valour, team spirit, decisiveness and skills.”

Russia launched its air campaign in Syria in September 2015, when Mr Assad’s government was teetering on the brink of collapse, and quickly changed the course of the conflict in his favour.

Russian officials say troops in Syria were there mainly to fight IS group and al Qaida affiliates, but they also heavily targeted other rebel factions opposed to Mr Assad helping him stay in power.