Trump and Syrian President discuss unified Syria, Kurdish rights in phone call

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa stressed to U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call on Tuesday the importance of unifying international efforts to prevent the return of "terrorist groups", including Islamic State.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed a shared vision for a strong and unified Syria, with an emphasis on addressing long-standing challenges and advancing stability across the war-torn country, according to a statement from the Syrian presidency.

The call underscored the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity and independence while protecting the rights of all citizens, including the Kurdish community. Both leaders acknowledged the need to guarantee Kurdish rights within the framework of a unified state, as part of a broader push towards political stability.

Trump and al-Sharaa also stressed ongoing cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State group, highlighting the continued focus on counterterrorism efforts even as diplomatic engagement expands.

The discussion comes amid a fragile ceasefire in northeastern Syria and recent shifts in U.S. policy toward deeper engagement with the current Syrian leadership. Earlier agreements aimed at integrating the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into national institutions and expanding central government control have been part of wider efforts to draw the conflict to a close.

This diplomatic outreach follows earlier landmark meetings between the two leaders, including a historic White House visit by al-Sharaa in November 2025, which marked a significant shift in relations between Washington and Damascus.

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