Turkey's Erdogan speaks with Trump amid strained ties

By Associated Press 22 March 2018, 12:00AM

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman says the Turkish president have spoken by telephone with U.S. President Donald Trump amid Turkish frustrations with its NATO ally over its support for Syrian Kurdish militia that Turkey regards as a security threat.

Erdogan's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said the two discussed "bilateral ties and regional issues" during Thursday's call, without providing further details.

Turkey on Sunday captured the Syrian Kurdish-held town of Afrin and vowed to expand its offensive to other areas, including to Manbij which is controlled by U.S.-backed force dominated by Syrian Kurds.

Turkey says Turkish and U.S. officials discussed ways of overcoming differences and have reached an "understanding" over the ouster of Kurdish militia from Manbij and joint measures to ensure its security. U.S. officials said no agreement was reached.

By Associated Press 22 March 2018, 12:00AM
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