Turkish, US presidential aides talk ties, Syria

By Enes Kaplan and Zafer Fatih Beyaz

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey's Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien spoke about bilateral relations and recent developments in Syria on the phone on Monday.

According to a statement from the presidency, the officials stressed that the two NATO allies have to work together against all terrorist groups, including Daesh/ISIS and the YPG/PKK.

Kalin and O’Brien also spoke about preparations for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to President Donald Trump in Washington set for Nov. 13.

Their talk took place days after U.S. forces killed Daesh/ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Announcing the terrorist’s death early Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump thanked Turkey for its cooperation with the raid, calling it "terrific," adding that U.S. forces "flew over" some Turkish territory during the mission.

Since Turkey recognized Daesh/ISIS as a terrorist group in 2013, Turkey has been attacked by Daesh/ISIS terrorists numerous times, including 10 suicide bombings, seven bombings, and four armed attacks which killed 315 people, including police officers and soldiers, and injured hundreds.

In response to these attacks, Turkey launched anti-terror operations at home and abroad, neutralizing 3,500 Daesh/ISIS terrorists and arresting 5,500.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.

*Writing by Fahri Aksut