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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call early Wednesday to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments, with Erdogan thanking Trump for the invitation to join the Board of Peace for Gaza.
"It was a very good phone call," Trump told reporters as he departed the White House for the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Trump had earlier said he would have a "very important" call with Erdogan, "who I like a lot."
The Turkish president told Trump that Türkiye is "closely" following developments in Syria and that Syria's unity, solidarity and territorial integrity are "important" for Ankara, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a statement on X.
The leaders exchanged views on the fight against Daesh and the situation of the terrorist group's members in Syrian prisons.
Erdogan stated that "a peaceful Syria, free from terrorism and developing in all aspects, would contribute to the stability of the region," the statement said.
Trump also stated on Tuesday that the Syrian government is holding some of the world’s "worst" terrorist prisoners after it recaptured dozens of Daesh detainees released by the YPG/SDF group.
In response to a question by state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) on the latest developments in Syria, Trump said during a news briefing at the White House that efforts by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and his government were aimed at keeping "the terrorist prisoners, which are some of the worst in the world, at bay."
Trump praised Sharaa, saying he was working "very hard."
"I spoke with him yesterday because we were talking about the prisons, and ... we have some of the worst terrorists in the world in those prisons," he added.
Earlier, Trump said the Syrian government had recaptured all Daesh prisoners who escaped after the YPG/SDF terrorist group released them from detention, crediting Washington's cooperation with Damascus.
The Syrian presidency said Tuesday that it had reached an understanding with the YPG/SDF, granting the group a four-day period to work out a roadmap for the practical integration of Hasakah, during which a ceasefire would remain in place. In a statement, the YPG/SDF said it was fully committed to the ceasefire.
In the Gaza Strip, Erdogan said efforts to establish peace are underway, adding Türkiye will continue to act in coordination with the U.S. on this matter.
He thanked Trump for the invitation to the Board of Peace for Gaza.
On Friday, the White House announced the formation of the board to "play an essential role in fulfilling" the 20 points of Trump's plan to permanently end Israel's war on Gaza and rebuild the enclave. It also aims to provide "strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development."
The U.S. also formed the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza to implement phase two of Trump's Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, a founding Executive Board and a Gaza Executive Board to support the transitional framework.
Trump has invited additional heads of state and government to join the board, including Erdogan.
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