ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on Tuesday to discuss tensions in Syria and ongoing efforts for peace in Gaza, the Turkish Presidency said Wednesday in a statement.
Erdogan said that Ankara is closely monitoring the tensions between the Syrian interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). He stressed that Syria's unity, territorial integrity, and political stability are of critical importance to Türkiye.
The two leaders discussed cooperation against the Islamic State (IS) and the situation of IS detainees in Syrian prisons. Erdogan said that a peaceful, fully-developed Syria, free of terrorism, is vital for broader regional stability.
They also touched upon the ongoing efforts to establish peace in Gaza. Erdogan said that Türkiye would continue to coordinate with the United States on this matter. He also thanked Trump for the invitation to the U.S.-led "Board of Peace."
On Tuesday, Trump told reporters during a White House briefing that he was expecting "a very important call" with Erdogan. He later described the conversation as "a very good call" as he departed for the World Economic Forum in Switzerland.
The call came amid heightened tensions between the Syrian interim government and the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led SDF. The interim government on Tuesday declared a four-day ceasefire to support talks with the SDF over security arrangements and possible military integration.
Türkiye considers the SDF an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, which has waged an armed campaign against the Turkish state for over 40 years. Turkish officials believe that integrating the SDF into Syria's central authority will help reduce security risks along Türkiye's southern border.
Trump announced last week the formation of the "Board of Peace," originally proposed as part of the U.S.-drafted 20-point peace plan to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and help reconstruct Gaza.
However, a draft charter of the board -- reportedly attached to the invitation letters to many world leaders and obtained by multiple media outlets -- makes no reference to Gaza. Instead, it outlines a broader vision for the body as a U.S.-controlled organization aimed to help resolve conflicts and wars worldwide, a role the UN has played for decades.
On Tuesday, Trump said the UN should continue because of its potential, but the "Board of Peace" he proposed "might" replace the organization. ■
