Story highlights "I oppose, at this point, a unilateral American no-fly zone in Syria," Sanders said

Clinton and Sanders have clashed on other policy positions as the race has tightened

Washington (CNN) Bernie Sanders said Saturday that he opposes an U.S.-implemented no-fly zone in Syria, contrasting himself with Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton on the issue.

"I oppose, at this point, a unilateral American no-fly zone in Syria which could get us more deeply involved in that horrible civil war and lead to a never-ending U.S. entanglement in that region," he said in a statement.

"We do not want to make a very complex situation in Syria even worse. I support President Obama's effort to combat the Islamic State in Syria while at the same time supporting those in Syria trying to overthrow the brutal dictatorship of Bashar Assad," Sanders added.

On Friday, Clinton recommended that the U.S. implement a no-fly zone in Syria.

"I personally would be advocating for a no-fly zone and humanitarian corridors to stop the carnage from the ground and on the air," Clinton said on CNN affiliate WHDH.