Russia pulled out about half of its fixed-wing aircraft in mid-March and remains a potent military force in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

On Thursday, Reuters reported citing a U.S. official that Russia has been repositioning artillery to northern Syria, including near the city of Aleppo.

The U.S. official said that Russia pulled out about half of its fixed-wing aircraft in mid-March and remains a potent military force in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The repositioning of artillery and some forces near Aleppo followed the Syrian government’s recapture of the city of Palmyra from Islamic State, as said by the unnamed U.S. official.

Nevertheless, the Arab country is currently observing an agreement for the cessation of hostilities which entered into force on February 27.

The agreement stipulates the cessation of all military hostilities in Syria, except for the operations against ISIS terrorist group and al-Qaeda-linked al-Nusra Front militants.

From the middle of the March, Russia has been partially withdrawing troops and warplanes from Syria to make an end to the Syrian crisis.

Citing unnamed officials, The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the CIA and its regional partners are developing Plan B in Syria including delivery of MANPADs to so-called moderate rebels, although the CIA didn’t comment on that.