Trump Calls Erdogan "Friend" and Hints at Close Ties in Syria Strategy During Press Conference

During a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence on Tuesday, US President-elect Donald Trump referred to Turkey's President Erdogan as a "friend."

When questioned about the potential withdrawal of US troops from Syria, Trump declined to reveal specific details, citing military strategy. He remarked, "If you look at what happened in Syria, both Russia and Iran were weakened. Erdogan is very clever and has taken control of the situation." Currently, approximately 2,000 US troops are stationed in Syria.

Speaking on foreign policy, Trump reflected on his record during his previous presidency, emphasizing his efforts to avoid wars and his decision to defeat ISIS in Syria while withdrawing a significant portion of U.S. forces from the region.

When asked if he intends to withdraw the remaining 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, Trump declined to provide specifics, saying, "I won’t disclose that because it’s part of a military strategy. However, I can say this—this is closely related to Turkey."

Trump also stressed Ankara's key role in handling issues related to Syria, adding, "President Erdoğan is my friend and someone I respect. I believe he respects me as well." His admiration for Erdogan suggests that direct communication between the two leaders may continue during his second term.