Trump confirms Turkey's Erdoğan will visit White House next week

Photo: Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images

President Trump tweeted on Wednesday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodğan has accepted his invitation to visit the White House on Nov. 13.

"Just had a very good call with President Erdogan of Turkey. He informed me that they have captured numerous ISIS fighters that were reported to have escaped during the conflict – including a wife and sister of terrorist killer al Baghdadi. Also talked about their Border with Syria, the eradication of terrorism, the ending of hostilities with the Kurds, and many other topics. Look forward to seeing President Erdogan next Wednesday, November 13th at the White House!"

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Why it matters: Erdoğan's visit comes roughly a month after Turkey announced a military incursion against U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in northern Syria, resulting in international outcry and sanctions from the Trump administration. Those sanctions were ultimately lifted after a ceasefire deal that intended to create a "safe zone" along the Turkish border, free of Kurdish forces.

• Erdoğan's invasion caused a massive bipartisan backlash in Washington, putting his visit in doubt.
• He was also enraged last week when the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Flashback: During Erdoğan's last visit to the White House in 2017, Turkish security personnel attacked Kurdish protestors in Washington. Fifteen bodyguards were indicted, but charges were later dropped in March 2018 ahead of a meeting between Erdoğan and then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Go deeper: Trump declares victory in Syria, lifts sanctions on Turkey