ERDOGAN, OBAMA AGREE TO DEEPEN COOPERATION AGAINST ISIL

Washington,  4 Muharram 1437/17 October 2015 –  U.S. President Barack Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke Thursday about deepening cooperation in the fight against Daesh (ISIL).

The two leaders spoke by telephone and reaffirmed their shared goal of stepping up military pressure on Daesh and strengthening moderate opposition elements in Syria to create conditions for a negotiated solution to the conflict, including a political transition, according to the White House, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Turkey, which shares a border with Syria, is a member of the U.S. led-coalition fighting to destroy Daesh. The coalition wants to ultimately destroy the militants and pushes for a political transition in Syria without President Bashar al-Assad.

Obama and Erdogan also agreed on an urgent need to end attacks in Turkey by PKK – a terrorist organization recognized by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

Since July, more than 150 members of Turkish security forces have been martyred while, according to the government, more than 2,000 PKK terrorists have been killed when a two-and-a-half year cease-fire collapsed.

During their talk, Obama reiterated his condemnation of the Oct. 10 twin terrorist bombings in the Turkish capital of Ankara where 99 victims have been killed.

Obama “offered condolences as well as U.S. solidarity in the face of the security threats Turkey faces”, said the White House.

Saturday’s attack was the deadliest terror attack in Turkey’s history.  (T/P010/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)