LONDON
Britain's foreign secretary has said he is awaiting news on what role Turkey will play in a United States-led coalition against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants, saying in days to come that role will become clearer.
Appearing on the BBC's Newsnight program late Wednesday, Philip Hammond said: "We wait to see exactly how Turkey will make its contribution to the coalition."
He explained that there were many players and different duties inside the coalition, which has been flying bombing raids against ISIL positions, but did not elaborate as to exactly what they were.
The U.S.-led aerial campaign was launched against ISIL targets in Iraq on August 9, supported by France, the U.K. and Belgium, along with Arab states Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Meanwhile, after a relentless advance ISIL soldiers and tanks have arrived at the Syrian town of Kobani on Turkey's border, where more then 180,000 people have crossed into Turkey in fear.
Hammond said Wednesday that Britain was "deeply concerned about the people of Kobani," adding that the coalition had conducted airstrikes on Monday and Tuesday in the region.
"But as horrific as it is to watch in real time what’s happening in Kobani, it’s also important to remember that you have to step back and understand the strategic objective and where we have begun over the course of the last weeks."
He said that he had talked to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu: "I think, twice yesterday and the day before."
He added that the retired U.S. general leading the coalition against ISIL is due in Turkey to discuss the situation "right now."
"He [John Allen] will be going to Turkey tomorrow. He is going to have long meetings through tomorrow and Friday in which we hope to determine exactly how Turkey will now enter this having resolved their hostage crisis."
"Clearly, on their border, this is of enormous concern... and they recognize that," he added.
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