Macron told Putin that the fight against Islamic State (IS) had not ended and that the International Coalition had continued operations, the Elysee Palace said in a statement on Wednesday, January 2.

He stressed “the need to recognize the rights of local population and to ensure that allied coalition forces, including Kurds, are protected,” given their crucial role in the fight against IS, the statement read.

Macron’s telephone call came after US President Donald Trump announced last month that the US would withdraw its troops from Syria.

Macron said on December 23 that he deeply regretted Trump’s decision to withdraw US troops from Syria.

“To be allies is to fight shoulder to shoulder. It’s the most important thing for a head of state and head of the military,” he said. “An ally should be dependable.”

Macron stressed the importance of the work of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which has captured large parts of northern and eastern Syria from Islamic State.

Turkey has long threatened to launch an operation against the Syrian Kurds in the East of Euphrates River.

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