Turkey’s president Tayyip Erdogan has denied that Ankara has bought any oil from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant . He said on Thursday that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is funding the (ISIL).
Erdogan also insisted Turkey’s fight against the group was “undisputed”.
Slamming on the charges from Moscow after shooting out the Russian warplane on Syrian border on Tuesday Erdogan said.
“Shame on you. Those who claim we buy oil from Daesh [ISIL] are obliged to prove it. If not, you are a slanderer.” He added “ISIL sells the oil they drill to Assad. To Assad. Talk this over with Assad you support.” He also denied that Ankara was collaborating with ISIL.
Russia has demanded an apology from Turkish forces for shooting down the plane. On there demand
Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu , said Ankara did not need to apologise “on an occasion that we are right,” he said, he had already said “sorry” to Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on a phone call.
In a speech to local officials at presidential palace in the Turkish capital Erdogan said. “Our country’s stance against Daesh has been clear since the very beginning,” adding he said”There is no question mark here. Nobody has the right to dispute our country’s fight against Daesh or to incriminate us.”
By accusing Moscow of focusing its fire on moderate rebels rather than ISIL fighters. Erdogan said.”Those who carry out a military campaign with the pretext of fighting Daesh are targeting anti-regime opponents,” pointing out to the Syrian port city Erdogan said.”You say you are fighting Daesh. Excuse me, but you are not fighting Daesh. You are killing our Turkmen kinsmen hand-in-hand with the regime in order to clear areas north of Latakia.”
Erdogan said ISIL fighters have severely damaged Islam and Muslims. He said the disagreements with Moscow over the Syrian crisis and Ankara’s activating its military rules of engagement are two different things.”There is no reason for us to target Russia with which we have multi-faceted and very strong ties, without any border violation,” “If the same incursion happens today, Turkey will be obliged to retaliate,” he said.
Slamming at Putin’s charges that Turkey’s leaders were encouraging the Islamisation of the country.
Erdogan said.”How dare you speak like that,” said Erdogan. “Ninety-nine percent of Turkey is Muslim.”