Turkey will allow the U.S. to strike Islamic State group targets from Incirlik Air Base, according to multiple reports.

Local media in Turkey reported that the agreement came following a visit from retired Marine Corps Gen. John Allen, the presidential envoy to the anti-Islamic State coalition, and a Wednesday evening phone call between President Obama and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Defense Department and White House would not publicly acknowledge the new agreement, but instead said Turkey is becoming more of a partner in fighting the Islamic State.

"The United States and Turkey have held ongoing consultations about ways we can further our joint counter-ISIL efforts," Pentagon spokeswoman Laura Seal said. "We have decided to further deepen our cooperation in the fight against ISIL, our common efforts to promote security and stability in Iraq, and our work to bring about a political settlement to the conflict in Syria."

The New York Times on Thursday, quoting Obama administration officials, said the new agreement on airstrikes is a "game changer." Turkish news outlet Today's Zaman reported that while the U.S. aircraft can use the base, Turkish aircraft will protect Turkey but not fly missions in Syria.

Previously, Turkey would only allow intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and refueling flights from Incirlik. The base, since 2011, has been home to Air Force MQ-1B Predators and has launched fighters in previous instances.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters in a briefing Thursday that Obama and Erdogan "discussed efforts to deepen our cooperation" in the fight, but would not discuss specifics on the new agreement.

Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, commander of U.S. European Command, said earlier this year that his command and Turkey had been in negotiations to expand use of the base.

"We have been working with Turkey on some very key things," Breedlove said at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing April 30. "One I can talk about in this venue: the training and equipping mission is up and running."

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