Turkish, US top diplomats discuss Syria by phone

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on January 20, Caliber.Az reports, citing the U.S. State Department website.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan regarding their continued support for peace and stability in Syria,” the statement said.

According to Turkish media, the ministers also discussed the U.S. initiative to establish a “Board of Peace.”

Other details of the phone call remain undisclosed.

On January 20, Syrian government forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on a four-day ceasefire in northeastern Syria after days of intense fighting and a partial handover of territories/prisons (e.g., in Hasakah/Raqqa). This deal is seen as a Turkish strategic gain, weakening PKK-linked SDF autonomy and aligning with Ankara's anti-terrorism priorities.

By Khagan Isayev