Turkey and Iraq have vowed to expand military cooperation against fighters from the group that calls itself the Islamic State. It came as Iraqi
Turkey and Iraq have vowed to expand military cooperation against fighters from the group that calls itself the Islamic State.
It came as Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi visited his counterpart in Ankara.
Turkey is already training Kurdish Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq to help them battle ISIL fighters, who control territory in both Iraq and Syria.
“We are open to any suggestions to support the Iraqi government, and we will weigh up any suggestion,” said Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish Prime Minister.
“Talks are underway with Iraqi security officials to expand our support in the fields of training and supply, as well as helping further cooperation in other fields. We are ready for all kinds of help.”
Major battles are being fought close to Turkey’s borders and the country has become a haven for thousands who have fled to escape ISIL.
Violence is continuing in Kobani, where ISIL have captured land. Kurdish fighters have been slowly advancing in the Syrian border town, backed up by Iraqi Peshmergas
Meanwhile the father of a Jordanian pilot captured by ISIL says he hopes his son will be treated like a guest, not a hostage.
Muath al Kasasbeh was taken prisoner after his plane came down in northeast Syria.