Obama, Erdogan discuss fight against Islamic State

The White House says President Barack Obama spoke Thursday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about deepening cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State group.

The two also spoke after bombing attacks Saturday killed 97 people and wounded hundreds at a peace rally in Ankara, Turkey. Obama reiterated his condemnation of the attacks.

The White House says the two leaders reaffirmed the goals of stepping up military pressure on the Islamic State group and strengthening moderate opposition groups inside Syria.

The call comes after Turkey complained that weapons provided by the US could fall into the hands of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and be used against Turkey.

The White House says the leaders agreed on the urgent need to stop PKK attacks in Turkey.

— AP