Relations with the US 'at a very critical stage,' Turk FM says

Turkey's foreign minister assailed the United States on Monday, claiming that American forces in Syria are intentionally stalling the fight against Islamic State militants as an excuse not to cut ties with Syrian Kurdish militiamen as Ankara has demanded.

Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters in Istanbul that US forces are leaving "pockets" with IS militants intact to justify continued cooperation with the Kurdish militia.

Speaking ahead of a visit by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson later this week, Cavusoglu said Turkey's ties with the US are at a make-or-break stage and that Washington needs to take "concrete steps" to regain Turkey's trust.

"Our relations are at a very critical stage," Cavusoglu said. "Either we will improve ties or these ties will totally break down."

Ankara is riled over Washington's support for the Syrian Kurdish People's...