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A senior US military officer and diplomat met earlier this week with the Syrian opposition in Istanbul, Turkey to discuss the US train and equip program for Syrian rebels, US Central Command said on Wednesday, according to Sputnik News.

“These meetings provided an important opportunity to introduce and discuss the US train and equip program with members of the moderate political and armed opposition and to gain a better understanding of conditions on the ground in Syria,” CENTCOM said in a statement.

The US team was led by Army Major General Michael Nagata and US Special Envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein. “All participants recognized the need for continued focus on this important program and the need for further discussions,” the statement said of the January 12-13 meeting.

The United States and its allies plan to train and equip some 5,000 Syrian opposition fighters as part of their efforts to battle the Islamic State in Syria, although the State Department said in early January the rebels could also fight the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The State Department said earlier this month final negotiations to base the train and equip program in Turkey are proceeding.

According to the Pentagon, the program could graduate its first group of armed rebels in March of 2016. US officials have said the program could start as early as March 2015.