Turkey is seeking specific roles in a US-led coalition to battle Islamic State fighters, US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said after talks with Turkish leaders on Monday, without revealing details. Turkey was the only Muslim nation in a "core coalition" of 10 countries which met on the sidelines of a NATO summit last week. Any role it plays may be limited by a host of concerns, including fears for 46 Turkish hostages held by the militants.
"Today's meetings were a reaffirmation, clearly, of Turkey's commitment to be part of this effort, to destroy ISIL and everything that ISIL represents," Hagel said after talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and other leaders.