Chile (AP) 10/11/2014 — U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Saturday the U.S. is making “considerable progress” in its negotiations with Turkey over the plan to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels in their fight against Islamic State militants.
A senior U.S. official confirmed that Turkey has agreed to train the Syrian moderates inside Turkey. The official was not authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hagel said he spoke at length Saturday with the U.S. envoy for the Syria and Iraq mission، retired Gen. John Allen.
 He said that Allen continues to work to get other international partners، including those in the Middle East, involved in the training program.