Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to arrive in Washington on Tuesday for high-level discussions with U.S. officials, with a focus on the future of Kurdish forces in Syria and Turkey’s push for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Damascus.

According to sources from Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, the talks will center on efforts to counter the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its Syrian affiliate, the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which operates under the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Ankara considers both groups terrorist organizations, while Washington has relied on the SDF in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

The agenda will also include cooperation in combating IS and improving security in Syrian camps housing IS detainees and their families.

Fidan, who met U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month, is expected to urge the Biden administration to ease sanctions on Syria to facilitate humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. Despite international pressure, the U.S. has maintained economic restrictions on Damascus, citing ongoing human rights concerns.

Additionally, the Turkish minister will advocate for deeper Ankara-Washington coordination on Syria, including post-war stabilization and aid delivery. The visit comes amid strained U.S.-Turkey relations over Syria policy, with Turkey seeking greater U.S. action against Kurdish militias it views as security threats.

The outcome of the talks could shape future U.S. policy in Syria and impact regional dynamics.