President Masoud Barzani and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack underlined the importance of alleviating tensions in Syria in a phone call on Friday.

“During their conversation, they shared insights regarding the political landscape in the region and Syria, along with the most recent developments and rising tensions in Syria, specifically Aleppo,” the Barzani Headquarters said in a readout.

Furthermore, both parties emphasized the necessity of making every possible effort to alleviate tensions, normalize the situation, and undertake significant measures to attain security, stability, and peace.

Read More: President Barzani Stresses Inclusive Governance in Talks With Syria’s President

Earlier on Friday, Syria’s interim President Ahmad al‑Sharaa held a phone call with President Barzani about the situation in Aleppo, in which President Barzani underlined the importance of building an inclusive state in Syria.

Last Wednesday, President Barzani called on the Syrian government “not to allow political disagreements to turn into ethnic conflict, and not to permit the problems and tensions in the Aleppo region to result in pressure, abuse, forced displacement from their ancestral homes, or ethnic cleansing against Kurdish citizens.” 

Read More: U.S. Calls for Pausing Hostilities in Aleppo

Heavy clashes have continued since Tuesday between Kurdish and Syrian government forces, despite efforts to reach a ceasefire. 

On Friday, Kurdish fighters rejected a ceasefire proposal and a 9:00 pm deadline from Syria’s Ministry of Defense to transport Kurdish fighters by buses to northeast Syria.On Friday morning, Ambassador Barrack said that the United States warmly welcomed the temporary ceasefire achieved the night before. 

“This truce begins the vital work of guiding Syria’s diverse lanes,” he said.