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Turkey 'agrees to US air base use' Turkey 'allows Syria rebel training'
(about 1 hour later)
Turkey has agreed to let the US use its military bases for operations in Iraq and Syria, US National Security Adviser Susan Rice says. Turkey has agreed to allow moderate Syrian rebels to be trained on its soil, the US says, in its bid to combat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
Ms Rice said the US welcomed the new agreement, which included the training of moderate Syrian rebels. US National Security Adviser Susan Rice, who announced the development, said she welcomed the new agreement.
The US is leading air strikes against Islamic State militants, who have seized large parts of Iraq and Syria. It has not yet been confirmed by Turkey, which has so far refused to send troops into Syria or Iraq.
Turkey shares a border with both countries, but has so far ruled out any ground operation of its own. Turkish MPs recently passed a motion allowing foreign forces to use its bases for activities in Syria and Iraq.
Speaking to US broadcaster NBC, Ms Rice said Turkey had also agreed to let the US use Turkish bases and territory "to train moderate Syrian opposition forces". The US-led coalition is carrying out air strikes against Islamic State militants, who have seized large parts of Iraq and Syria.
Speaking to US broadcaster NBC on Sunday, Ms Rice said Turkey had agreed to let the US use Turkish bases and territory "to train moderate Syrian opposition forces".
"That's the new commitment, and one that we very much welcome," she added."That's the new commitment, and one that we very much welcome," she added.
It is likely the large US military base at Incirlik in southern Turkey will be used, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Ankara.
A US military team is travelling to Ankara this week to discuss the training programme and what kind of missions could be flown from Turkish bases.
The training of Syria's moderate opposition is part of US President Barack Obama's anti-IS strategy announced last month.
In recent days, IS fighters have advanced against the Syrian town of Kobane, which has a border crossing point with Turkey.In recent days, IS fighters have advanced against the Syrian town of Kobane, which has a border crossing point with Turkey.
The militants, who control some areas of Kobane, have been subjecting the rest of the town to a heavy bombardment but are continuing to meet resistance from Kurdish forces there.The militants, who control some areas of Kobane, have been subjecting the rest of the town to a heavy bombardment but are continuing to meet resistance from Kurdish forces there.
Neither side has been able to gain significant ground, despite the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes in support of the Kurds.Neither side has been able to gain significant ground, despite the US-led coalition carrying out air strikes in support of the Kurds.
Sources inside Kobane told the BBC the coalition launched seven air strikes on IS positions to the east and south-west of the town overnight.Sources inside Kobane told the BBC the coalition launched seven air strikes on IS positions to the east and south-west of the town overnight.
They added that fierce clashes were continuing on Monday morning near aid supplies warehouses at the south-west entrance to the town, and that IS detonated a car bomb to the east.They added that fierce clashes were continuing on Monday morning near aid supplies warehouses at the south-west entrance to the town, and that IS detonated a car bomb to the east.
The militants were pushed back as they tried to advance towards a border crossing with Turkey. The militants were pushed back as they tried to advance towards a border crossing.
Turkey has ranged its military forces on the border but has so far ruled out any ground operation on its own, and has refused to allow Kurds in Turkey to cross the border to fight. Turkey has ranged its military forces on the border but has so far ruled out any ground operation on its own and has refused to allow Kurds in Turkey to cross the border to fight.
Turkey has been reluctant to get involved militarily, partly because it is concerned about arming the Kurdish forces fighting IS militants. Turkey fought a long civil war with its Kurdish minority.Turkey has been reluctant to get involved militarily, partly because it is concerned about arming the Kurdish forces fighting IS militants. Turkey fought a long civil war with its Kurdish minority.
Since the IS offensive against Kobane began in mid-September, some 500 people have been killed and up to 200,000 have fled across the border into Turkey.Since the IS offensive against Kobane began in mid-September, some 500 people have been killed and up to 200,000 have fled across the border into Turkey.
Meanwhile, officials say the police chief of Iraq's Anbar province, where IS fighters are also advancing, has been killed by a roadside bomb.
Major General Ahmed Saddag was killed when the bomb targeted his convoy near the provincial capital Ramadi.
Anbar officials have appealed for military help, saying that the province could fall to IS militants.
IS says it aims to establish a "caliphate", a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia.IS says it aims to establish a "caliphate", a state ruled by a single political and religious leader according to Islamic law, or Sharia.
It has become known for brutal tactics, including mass killings, abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, and the beheadings of soldiers and journalists.It has become known for brutal tactics, including mass killings, abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, and the beheadings of soldiers and journalists.