(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ANKARA Jan 7 (KUNA) -- Turkish Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu has held discussions with US military officials in Ankara regarding security threats on the Turkish border from militant groups."The U.S.-Turkish relationship is a strategic partnership as security interests are common" Davutoglu said during a news conference after his meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr held late on Wednesday.He stressed need for deeper joint coordination to combat terrorist organizations adding that his country is working to maintain cohesion of the international coalition led by the United States in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS).Davutoglu also discussed with Gen. Dunford recent military escalation in Syria especially from the Russian side noting that "the Russian escalation aims to occupy more lands." He added that the Syrian conflict is no longer confined to that country or its neighbors but has become a long-time regional and international issue affecting the world.Gen. Dunford also met with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Hulusi Akar discussing cooperation in the fight against the IS. (end) rs.haq