Erdogan Plans to Strengthen Daesh - Al-Nusra’s Leader

Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the leader of the Jabhat al-Nusra militant group on Saturday said in an interview aired by Arab TV channel Orient News (Dubai, UAE) that Turkey’s goal is to create a so-called “security zone” on the north of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Al-Julani's face was covered during the interview. The militant group's leader directly accused the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, of planning to strengthen Daesh, also known as ISIL/Islamic State, by establishing a buffer zone.

"Turkey's actions will Let Daesh expand its influence in border zones," Abu Muhammad claimed.

The emir stressed that despite being a member of the US-led coalition, Ankara primarily targets Kurdish forces for bombing rather than Daesh in the north of Syria. And the Kurdish militia is one of the main forces fighting against Daesh terrorists on the ground in Syria.

He also condemned his allies from Ahrar al-Sham insurgent group for participating in a recent "Syrian opposition" conference in Riyadh and called the forum a "conspiration".

"Whatever decisions they made, they won't be realized," al-Julani claimed.

The Daesh terrorist group controls vast territories of Syria and Iraq and is currently considered to be one the main threats to global security.

The Russian Ministry of Defense previously provided evidence that Turkey is involved in an illicit oil trade with Daesh and selling stolen Syrian and Iraqi oil. Satellite and drone images showed hundreds and hundreds of oil trucks moving from Daesh-held territory to Turkey to reach their destination at Turkish refineries and ports controlled by Recep Erdogan's family.

The Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist group, which is affiliated with al-Qaeda, is also unlawful and is prohibited from activities in Russian territory.