US to train ‘moderate’ Syrian militants on Turkish soil
The United States says Turkey has allowed its territory to be used for training of what Washington calls “moderate” Syrian militants.
US National Security Adviser Susan Rice said on Sunday that Ankara 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.
Also on Sunday, officials speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed that Turkey had agreed to allow US-led coalition to launch operations against ISIL Takfiri militants in Iraq and Syria from Turkish bases.
The developments came amid accusations of Turkey’s support for the ISIL militants. Ankara faces accusations of providing logistical support for the militants and enabling the terrorists’ passage through its soil.
Turkey has, however, said it is opposed to the Takfiri militants in the same way it opposes Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday, “Turkey is against ISIS [ISIL] just the same way that it is against Assad,” claiming that Assad and ISIL are both responsible for all these events and tragedies.
The ISIL militants made swift advances in much of northern and western Iraq over the summer, after capturing large swathes of territory in neighboring Syria.
