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Added on the 20/12/2015 04:16:04 - Copyright : Reuters EN
U.S. President Barack Obama vows to step up efforts to eliminate Islamic State in Syria, as world leaders meet at the G20 summit in Turkey. Diane Hodges reports.
US Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications, Ben Rhodes, warned Turkey against engaging with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), during the daily press briefing in Washington D.C. on Monday. Rhodes said that although the US support the Turkish effort to rid Jarablus of so-called Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) fighters, they do not however "support and we would oppose efforts to move south and engage in activities against" the SDF.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu says Turkey's border with Syria must be 'completely cleansed' from Islamic State militants. Rough Cut (no reporter narration).
US Defence Secretary Ash Carter spoke at a press conference at Joint Base Andrews, Washington DC on Wednesday to share the progress of the anti-ISIL coalition talks held the same day. He reiterated that the anti-IS campaign's primary focus was the downfall of Mosul and Raqqa but stressed that the rebuilding and governance of the territory was also a significant strategic priority.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said to Turkish officials that all those involved in last week's failed coup attempt "will be purged and suffer the consequences that they deserve", during a statement alongside Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, in Ankara, on Tuesday. His comments come as officials announced that over 15,000 education staff had been suspended, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government continues to purge its ranks of opponents following Friday’s failed coup.