President Trump held a strategic phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Tuesday, focusing on the escalating conflict in northeastern Syria involving the Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the new Syrian government under President Ahmed al‑Sharaa. Trump’s message aimed at securing a ceasefire, advancing Kurdish integration into Syria’s national framework, and maintaining U.S.–Turkey cooperation against terrorism threats in the region.
The Syrian civil war officially ended in late 2024 with insurgent and jihadi forces overthrowing Bashar al‑Assad’s regime, but northeastern Syria has since erupted in fresh violence. Kurdish security forces that once served as indispensable U.S. allies against ISIS are now battling Sharaa’s loyalist troops, who insist on full political and military assimilation of the Kurdish region into Syria’s national structure. Kurds distrust many of the jihadi units folded into the new Syrian army and have resisted surrendering control of their territory and forces.
Turkey, which borders the conflict zone, has made clear its hostile stance toward Kurdish armed groups, labeling them extensions of the PKK, the separatist organization Ankara deems a terrorist threat. In Tuesday’s call, Erdogan emphasized Syria’s territorial integrity as vital to Turkish security and pledged cooperation with Washington on counter‑ISIS efforts. Erdogan’s office framed the discussions as centered on fighting terrorism and stabilizing the region.
President Trump later acknowledged the “very good call,” stating publicly that he “likes” the Kurds and wants to protect them from abuse. Trump reiterated that the U.S. provided financial support and oil revenues to Kurdish forces during the fight against ISIS, underscoring the strategic partnership forged over years of counterterror operations.
A ceasefire brokered by the U.S. collapsed, prompting a second agreement on Tuesday that gives the SDF four days to accept a plan to integrate into Syria’s national government with diminished autonomy. Damascus media reported a “mutual understanding” reached on certain future arrangements in Hasaka province, conditional on Kurdish acceptance of detailed integration terms. Syrian officials say Syrian army units will hold positions outside Kurdish population centers if an agreement is finalized.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Trump envoy Tom Barrack framed the administration’s approach as both encouraging Kurdish rights protections and urging SDF leaders to seek stability through integration into the new Syrian state. He argued that prolonged separation could create openings for ISIS resurgence. The Kurdish leadership, however, has decried reported atrocities by Sharaa’s forces, including beheadings and civilian violence.
Turkey announced that its foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, will represent Ankara on Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Middle East conflict resolution, a forum Trump will chair. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also committed to participate personally in the board’s work. Some Turkish political figures have suggested Erdogan should chair the board, citing his regional influence.
Meanwhile, pro‑Kurdish protests on the Turkey–Syria border highlighted tensions within Turkish politics. Demonstrators condemned what they described as a “massacre” of Syrian Kurds and criticized Erdogan’s role. Turkish police responded with crowd control measures, while Turkish officials accused protesters of sedition tied to PKK support.
