After months of rigorous talks the United States and Turkey have finally sealed a deal Thursday to train Syrian rebels, as part of the U.S.-led coalition's efforts to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Turkish state media said the training and arming of Syrian fighters could begin in March. American and Turkish soldiers will carry out the training at a camp in Kirsehir in the central Anatolian region of Turkey.

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Hundreds of Syrian fighters are expected to participate in the training during the first year. The camp in Kirsehir is a brand new facility, while three other training sites --- namely Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar --- are being prepared and may be ready in a few months.  

The U.S. had said the training of Syrian rebels is part of a broader program to defeat the ISIS. While the Turkish government supports that, it also had other plans --- to target the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. 

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy said the deal, signed by U.S. Ambassador John Bass and Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu, further strengthens the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Turkey had long been playing a key role in the U.S.-led coalition against the ISIS. However, it does not take the frontlines, saying airstrikes alone will not cripple the ISIS militants.  

Turkey particularly wants the U.S. and its allies to also bring down the Assad regime. It has repeatedly pointed out that with Assad still in power, there can be no lasting peace in the region and that efforts to destroy the ISIS in Syria may not succeed. 

Turkish soldiers have also been training Kurdish fighters in Iraq since November last year. 

U.S. Defense officials said some 1,200 moderate Syrian fighters have already been screened to undergo training. The deal hopes to train 5,000 Syrian fighters a year for a period of three years.  

The U.S. had also allotted US$500 million in initial training funds.

TagsTurkey, U.S., Syrian rebels, ISIS, U.S.-led coalition, anti-ISIS coaltion