„The source [of IS attacks in Iraq] is Syria and al-Qaeda. Unfortunately, it is cruel Assad who is behind the increase of such militant groups, especially in Syria,“ Erdogan said at an interview aired on Al Jazeera Turk‘s online news channel on Friday evening.

In his first interview after being elected as Turkey‘s 12th President on Tuesday, Erdogan said that terrorist groups emerge in countries with no stable government, resulting in al-Qaeda giving birth to the Islamic State, formerly known as ISIL.

„IS started out in Syria, and has moved onto Iraq. It is our wish that the new Iraqi government eliminate the chaos which feeds such groups,“ Erdogan said.