WASHINGTON
The U.S. accepts Turkey's denial that Daesh militants passed through Turkey in order to conduct bomb attacks in the northern Syrian city of Kobani, a State Department official said Thursday.
Nearly two dozen victims were killed and at least 130 others wounded when Daesh militants mounted an early-morning attack in Kobani with two bomb-laden vehicles, and in subsequent clashes between Syrian Kurdish forces and the Daesh militant group.
Turkey’s foreign ministry strongly rejected claims by Syrian state television and some Kurdish politicians that the militants crossed through Turkish territory to strike Kobani.
Asked about the claims, the U.S. spokesman had a curt reply. "I would just point you to what the Turkish foreign ministry said about infiltration," said State Department spokesman John Kirby. "They've denied that there was any complicity in that. I mean, we have no reason not to believe them in that regard."
Describing the overall situation in Syria as "complicated", Kirby said capable partners are needed on the ground to help the coalition fight Daesh, while acknowledging Turkey as a very important partner in the effort against Daesh.
"They continue to provide support to the coalition, and we continue to be grateful for that," he said.
