Stop the flow of ISIL militants through Turkish border, Obama says

U.S. President Barack Obama has called on coalition partners to improve intelligence cooperation and coordination in order to stop foreign fighters from going abroad to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

"We are still seeing thousands of foreign fighters flowing first into Syria, and then, often times, ultimately into Iraq. And not all of that is preventable, but a lot of it is preventable if we [foster] better cooperation, better coordination, better intelligence, and if we monitor what is happening at the Turkish-Syria border more effectively," Obama said June 8 at the G-7 summit of the world's wealthiest nations in Bavaria's Elmau Castle.

He said Turkish authorities recognized the problem. "This is an area where we have been seeking deeper cooperation with Turkish authorities who recognize the problem, but have not fully ramped up the capacity they need. And this is something that I think we have got to spend a lot of time on. If we can cut of some of that foreign fighter flow, then we will be able to isolate and wear out ISIL forces that are already there," Obama said.

Addressing a press conference following a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the American president highlighted the need to accelerate the train-and-equip program for Syrian opposition fighters, while also acknowledging problems in the program.
      
"We are reviewing a range of plans essentially accelerating the number of Iraqi forces that are properly trained and equipped, have a focused strategy and good leadership. ... We do not yet have a complete strategy because it requires commitments on the part of Iraqis as well about how the recruitment takes place, how that training takes place and so details of that [are] not yet...