Turkey, US Reach Agreement to Train Syrian Rebels

iStock/Thinkstock(ISTANBUL) — Turkish officials say their country and the U.S. will start training moderate Syrian rebels in Turkey starting in March.

The announcement follows the signing earlier this week of an agreement between the two countries to train and equip the rebels.

In the first year, hundreds of fighters will be trained in Turkey at one of the country’s military bases.  

While Turkey wants the rebels to take on Syrian regime forces as well as extremists, U.S. officials say the goal is to defeat the Islamic State and other extremist groups.

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