Al-Qaida-linked militants withdraw from frontline positions in Syria's Aleppo

The al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front announced Monday its withdrawal from frontline positions against the Islamic State (IS) militants in Aleppo to protest against Turkey's intentions to impose a buffer zone in that area, according to a statement by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Nusra Font left its positions to other rebel groups in the northern countryside of Aleppo, where Turkey is planning to create a safe zone.

According to the statement, the Nusra Front, which was fighting the IS in northern Aleppo, criticized the Turkish bid and also criticized some of the rebel groups which will be joining Turkey in the move.

It said the main aim behind the buffer zone plan is Turkish fear of the expansion of the Kurdish influence in that area and to maintain Ankara's national security, not the Syrian one.

"Based on that, it's not possible to join such a coalition or coordinate with it," the statement said, referring to the Turkish coordination with other Syrian rebel groups to impose the safe zone.

Last Friday, reports said the Nusra militants ceded its positions on the Syrian-Turkish borders to other rebel group, saying the move was coordinated with major rebel groups in Aleppo.

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