Trump Backs Russia's Effort To Fight Islamic State

U.S. tycoon-cum-politician Donald Trump (file photo)

Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump says he supports Russian efforts to fight militants in Syria from the Islamic State (IS) group, also known as ISIS.

Trump told NBC's "Today" program on September 29 that "I side with the group that says 'if Russia wants to go and fight ISIS, you should let them', as opposed to saying 'we're jealous, we don't want you to do that'."

Trump said the United States should support those who want to destroy the extremist group that has taken over swaths of Syria and neighboring Iraq.

Trump is leading public opinion polls among those seeking the Republican Party's no nomination for the U.S. presidential election in 2016.

Many Republicans have criticized U.S. President Barack Obama's foreign policy in Syria.

Trump also said it was not clear if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was the root of the problem and questioned who would replace him if he were ousted from power.

Based on reporting by Reuters and NBC