Turkey OKs use of bases against Islamic State militants, U.S. says - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz

Turkey will let U.S. and coalition forces use its bases, including a
key installation within 100 miles of the Syrian border, for operations
against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq, American defense
officials said Sunday.






But progress in negotiations with Turkey — including Ankara's agreement
to train several thousand Syrian moderate rebels — may not be enough to
stop the massacre of civilians in Syria's border town of Kobani, where
intense fighting continues.






The Obama administration had been pressing Ankara to play a larger role
against the extremists, who have taken control of large swaths of Syria
and Iraq, including territory on Turkey's border, and sent refugees
fleeing into Turkey.






U.S. officials confirmed Saturday that Ankara had agreed to train
Syrian moderate forces on Turkish soil. A Turkish government official
said Sunday that Turkey put the number at 4,000 opposition fighters and
said they would be screened by Turkish intelligence.






Also Sunday, officials confirmed that Turkey agreed to let U.S. and
coalition fighter aircraft launch operations against Islamic State
militants in Iraq and Syria from Turkish bases, including Incirlik Air
Base in the south. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who has been
traveling in South America, has said the U.S. wanted access to the
Turkish bases.



Turkey OKs use of bases against Islamic State militants, U.S. says - Middle East Israel News | Haaretz