Carter talks ISIL strategy with Turkish counterpart

Defense Secretary Ash Carter met in London today with Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik to discuss the campaign to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, according to Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook.

"The secretary affirmed his support for the long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Turkey and vowed the United States would continue to stand side-by-side with Turkey against shared threats," Cook said in a statement. "Secretary Carter thanked the minister for Turkey's resolve in the fight against terrorism and Turkey's critical support for the C-ISIL campaign."

Carter and Isik also discussed Turkey's operations against ISIL in Northern Syria, "the importance of retaking Raqqa and the need for local forces to play a central role," Cook said.