Archive · 21 Jan 2026
Erdogan and Trump discuss Syria, Gaza in call
Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Trump had a phone call to talk about what's happening in Syria and Gaza.
They discussed how Syria's government is taking back some areas and wants the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to join the central government.
Turkey thinks the SDF is a terrorist group and wants them to stop fighting.
They also talked about the Islamic State and prisoners in Syria.
Erdogan said Turkey wants Syria to be peaceful and stable.
They also talked about Gaza and how Turkey will work with the U.S. to make peace there.
Trump said the call was very good.
The U.S. is leading a new group called the Board of Peace to help govern Gaza, and Turkey has been invited to join.
Turkish President Erdogan and U.S. President Trump discussed Syria and Gaza in a phone call.
Syria's government seized territory in the northeast and demanded the SDF integrate into the central state.
Turkey considers the SDF a terrorist organization and wants them to disband and disarm.
A ceasefire was announced between Syria’s government and Kurdish forces after days of clashes.
Erdogan and Trump also discussed the situation of Islamic State prisoners in Syrian prisons and developments in Gaza, including Turkey's potential involvement in the U.S.-led Board of Peace.
- Who
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump
- What
- Discussed developments in Syria and Gaza, including the situation with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Islamic State prisoners
- When
- On Tuesday, January 20
- Where
- The call took place between Ankara and Washington
- Why
- To address ongoing conflicts and regional stability in Syria and Gaza
Turkey's Stance
U.S. Stance
SDF Integration
Turkey's Stance
Turkey considers the SDF a terrorist organization and wants them to disband and disarm.
U.S. Stance
The U.S. has been a main ally of the SDF but acknowledges the partnership has changed.
Gaza Board of Peace
Turkey's Stance
Turkey has been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza and has praised the ceasefire.
U.S. Stance
The U.S. is leading the Board of Peace initiative to govern Gaza during a transitional period.
- Participants
- Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump
- Topics Discussed
- Syria, Gaza, Islamic State, prisoners in Syrian prisons
- Turkey's Stance on SDF
- Considers SDF a terrorist organization
- Syria's Government Action
- Seized territory in northeast Syria, demanded SDF integration
- Ceasefire
- Announced between Syria’s government and Kurdish forces
- Turkey's Role
- Main foreign backer of Syria’s new government
- PKK Peace Process
- Turkey engaged in peace process with PKK, demands disbanding and disarming
- Trump's Comment
- Described the call as 'very good'
- Board of Peace
- U.S.-led initiative to govern Gaza during a transitional period
- Gaza Ceasefire
- More than 460 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers killed since the truce began
