WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- U.S. top military leader spoke Tuesday over phone with his Turkish counterpart during which they recognized the necessity of maintaining communication and cooperation amid the transition in Syria, read a statement issued Wednesday by the U.S. military.

General CQ Brown, chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff, "spoke with Chief of the Turkish General Staff Gen. Metin Gürak yesterday by phone," said the statement provided by Jereal Dorsey, spokesperson for the joint chiefs of staff.

"The two military leaders discussed the evolving security situation in Syria, our commitment to defense cooperation, and efforts to promote peace and stability. Both leaders agreed on the necessity of communication and partner cooperation to ensure peaceful transition in Syria," the statement said.

The call came just days after Syrian rebels toppled the government of former President Bashar al-Assad, and as the United States vowed to continue partnering with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the effort to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The SDF is a Kurdish-led armed group whose fighters are linked to what has been known as the Peoples' Protection Units, which Türkiye considers a terrorist group.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who's on a visit to Japan, was quoted by CNN as saying Wednesday that the United States will continue to work with the SDF. "We have a good relationship with them and I think it will remain that way," Austin said. Enditem

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