Key Arab nations are promising to “do their share” to support US President Barack Obama’s fight against Islamic State (IS) militants.  But US Secretary of State John Kerry is downplaying the refusal of Turkey – a NATO member – to join the effort, saying the important US ally was dealing with “sensitive issues”.

In a carefully choreographed announcement in Saudi Arabia, ten Arab states through their support behind Mr. Obama’s plan to destroy Islamic State.  Saudi Arabia and Jordan pledged to “do their share” in the battle.  The others are Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.  They vowed to join in “the comprehensive fight” against IS, including choking off funds and fighters to the group.

Turkey’s reluctance could be because Islamic State is currently holding 49 Turkish hostages, including diplomats.  But some critics allege that Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan turned a blind eye to thousands of jihadis using Turkey to cross the border into Syria and fight his enemy Bashar al-Assad’s forces.