Obama, Erdogan discuss Syria, Daesh, PKK

WASHINGTON (AA) – President Barack Obama and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussed the ongoing crisis in Syria, as well as opportunities for increased bilateral counter-terror cooperation, according to the White House.

During a telephone call Wednesday, the pair “agreed on the urgency of continued efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL, and to disrupt ISIL’s capacity to conduct terrorist operations in Turkey, Europe, and beyond,” the White House said in a statement, referring to the 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant', another name for terrorist group Daesh.

“The two leaders discussed opportunities for deepened cooperation in the fight against all terrorist groups, including the PKK,” the White House added. “In this context, the president emphasized the U.S. commitment to Turkey's security as a NATO Ally.”

The leaders also discussed the Syrian conflict, with Obama noting the importance of "international cooperation to maintain the Cessation of Hostilities", and continued progress toward a negotiated political transition.