Turkey agrees to permit US-led coalition to use its territory to take on Islamic State

United States President Barack Obama's administration has reportedly said that Turkey has agreed to allow the US-led coalition to use its military bases for taking on the Islamic State (IS) and to use its territory as part of a training program for Syrian opposition fighters.

The announcement came on Sunday and was welcomed by Susan E Rice, Obama's National Security Adviser, reported The Washington Post.

Defense officials said that they expect clearance to use Incirlik Air Base, a facility built by the US about 35 miles inland from the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, near Turkey's border with Syria, to conduct air strikes against the group. The airbase is used jointly by Turkish and American air forces, the report said.

A Defense Department team will be travelling to Turkey this week to finalize the plans.