Erdogan, Trump Discuss Syria, Gaza Board of Peace and Bilateral Relations

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United States President Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on Tuesday to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the Gaza Board of Peace, along with broader regional and global issues.

According to official statements, the two leaders also reviewed bilateral relations, with particular emphasis on trade cooperation and collaboration in the defense industry. President Erdogan reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to taking further steps to strengthen cooperation with the United States and to advance bilateral relations across all areas of mutual interest.

During the call, President Erdogan underlined the importance Türkiye attaches to the full implementation of the ceasefire and integration agreement in neighboring Syria. He noted that Ankara is closely monitoring the process in coordination with U.S. and Syrian authorities to ensure stability and security in the region.

The Turkish president also expressed hope that the Gaza Board of Peace would yield constructive and lasting outcomes. He stressed that ending the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and rebuilding the enclave would be essential steps toward achieving sustainable peace in the region.

President Trump announced the establishment of the “Board of Peace” on January 15 as part of his broader plan for Gaza, under which a ceasefire agreement was reached. The board was later authorized by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 in November 2025.

Since October 2023, Israeli military operations in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of more than 71,600 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and left over 171,300 others injured, according to official figures. The offensive has caused widespread destruction across the enclave.

Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks have continued, killing at least 484 Palestinians and injuring 1,321 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The phone call reflects ongoing diplomatic engagement between Türkiye and the United States amid efforts to address humanitarian concerns and promote regional stability in the Middle East.