U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson conducted meetings with high-level Turkish officials, including President Erdogan, on Wednesday March 30. Although the meeting with the Turkish president took place behind closed doors, it is believed the two discussed a possible assault on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, among other issues.
Relations between the United States and Turkey have been strained over recent years, with Turkey protesting U.S. support for Kurdish YPG fighters. Turkey views them as an extension of the PKK, a militia group that has fought a three-decade insurgency in Turkey. Turkish officials may be hoping to persuade the new U.S. administration to change its policy in the region.
In addition to meeting the Turkish president, Tillerson also met with the Turkish prime minister to discuss fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
