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Turkey Considers Joining Trump's 'Peace Council' Amid Syria and Gaza Discussions

Published January 21, 2026, 08:17
Turkey Considers Joining Trump's 'Peace Council' Amid Syria and Gaza Discussions

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a phone conversation with his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to discuss developments in Syria and Gaza, as well as the issue of the Islamic State. The conversation took place after the announcement of a ceasefire between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces, with Turkey supporting Damascus. Turkey is considering Erdoğan's participation in Trump's proposed 'Peace Council' initiative for Gaza. The two leaders also discussed the fight against the Islamic State and the situation of its prisoners in Syrian jails. Turkey considers the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) a terrorist organization and has praised the Syrian government's moves against them. Erdoğan informed Trump about Turkey's position on Gaza, while thanking Trump for the invitation to the 'Peace Council.' Turkey has strongly criticized the Israeli attack on Gaza, calling it genocide, and Israel has expressed objections to a potential Turkish role in Gaza. The idea of a council led by Trump to oversee affairs in Gaza has drawn criticism from human rights experts, who liken it to a colonial structure. Diplomats fear that such a council could undermine the work of the United Nations.