Erdoğan-Trump call tackles latest developments in northern Syria

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has had a call with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss recent developments in northern Syria, where a fragile truce remains in place between Damascus and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

According to Turkish state media, the two leaders also discussed Türkiye-U.S. trade relations, especially in the defense industry field.

Shortly after his call with Trump, Erdoğan told reporters that Türkiye would continue taking steps to enhance bilateral cooperation – in multiple areas – with the United States.

He also repeated calls for the full implementation of the ceasefire deal between the SDF and Damascus, stressing that Ankara was “closely following” the situation in coordination with Washington.

Although the SDF is backed by the United States, Türkiye views the group as a terrorist organization due its close ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party, which for decades waged a violent insurgency against the Turkish state.

Earlier this month, Damascus announced the ceasefire deal, which had called for an end of hostilities between Syrian government forces and SDF fighters following several days of fighting.

Ankara and Washington both support the agreement, which also calls for the integration of armed Syrian Kurdish factions – including the SDF – into Syria’s state military apparatus.
Since the truce was announced in mid-January, both sides have accused the other of violating its terms.

Last week, Syrian government forces expelled SDF fighters from the northwestern city of Aleppo while also seizing SDF-held territory, including key oilfields, in the country’s northeast.

Last Friday (23 January), Damascus extended the truce by an additional 15 days to allow U.S. forces deployed in the region transfer imprisoned members of the ISIS terrorist group from SDF-controlled detention centers.

On Tuesday (27 January), Trump also held a phone conversation with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, after which he told reporters that his administration was “very happy” with the latest developments in Syria.

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