Kurds Holding Off Islamic State Advance in Syria's Kobani | WPN World People News

U.S. defense officials say Turkey has agreed to allow forces from an American-led coalition to use the country's bases to launch operations against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.

The officials said Sunday they expect the agreement to include Incirlik Air Base, which is located about 100 kilometers from Turkey's border with northwestern Syria.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has said access to the base is among the things the U.S. has requested from Turkey.

A Pentagon team is due to travel to Turkey this week to finalize the plans. They follow talks Turkish officials hosted last week with retired U.S. General John Allen and State Department official Brett McGurk.

The U.S. began airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Iraq in late August and expanded the campaign along with several partner nations into Syria last month.

Turkey has faced pressure to increase its role as Kurdish forces across the border in Kobani, Syria, have fought to hold off an advance by Islamic State militants. But so far the Turkish government has refused to join the battle, citing ties between the Kurds and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.

Heavy fighting continued Sunday in Kobani, where dark plumes of smoke could be seen rising above the city. The U.S. military said its fighter jets and those from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates hit targets in Kobani Saturday and Sunday.

Source: Voice of America