Obama calls Turkey's Erdogan
President Obama called Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Saturday night, seeking help as the Islamic State closes in on a Syrian city near the Turkish border.
"The situation in Kobani" and "steps that could be taken to counter ISIL" -- also known as the Islamic State -- dominated the Obama-Erdogan conversation, the White House said in a statement.
Obama "expressed appreciation for Turkey hosting over a million refugees, including thousands from Kobani," Obama said. "The two leaders pledged to continue to work closely together to strengthen cooperation against ISIL."
Obama and Erdogan also discussed peace efforts in Afghanistan, the White House said.
Turkey, however, has not helped Kurdish forces in Syria who are fighting the IS militants.
"The Turkish leader Sunday again rejected calls for his country to arm the main Kurdish party in Syria, describing the group as a terrorist organization, linked to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged a 30-year insurgency for self-rule in southeastern Turkey.
"Ankara is reluctant to arm Kurds and intervene militarily against the jihadists, fearing the creation of an effective Kurdish fighting force on its border."