MOSCOW, February 7. /TASS/. Terrorists from Jabhat al-Nusra (outlawed in Russia) have become a tool in the hands of one or more countries displeased with Moscow’s role in the liberation of Syria, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Jabhat al-Nusra units, affiliated with Al-Qaeda (outlawed in Russia) remain the main source of instability in Syria, particularly in the Idlib area," the statement reads. "Members of this terror group, who have been receiving weapons and financial support, seek to disrupt the peace process in de-escalation zones, driving out the moderate opposition’s units," the Russian Defense Ministry added.

According to the statement, all this confirms the concerns that terrorists from the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda have become a servile tool in the hands of one or more technologically developed countries that are dissatisfied with Russia’s leading role in the liberation of Syria from the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia).

De-escalation zones

Russia’s aerospace group monitors the Idlib de-escalation zone in Syria where Turkey has not deployed its observation posts yet, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Russian aircraft regularly monitor the de-escalation zone of Idlib, where Turkey has not yet deployed its observation posts under the assumed commitments," Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov stated.

He recalled that after the Syrian army with the assistance of Russia’s aerospace group had regained control of the country’s territory from the Islamic State, the bulk of Russia’s contingent returned home.