U.S. Congressman Thomas Garrett, a Republican from Virginia, paid a five-day visit to Rojava, an autonomous Kurdish-controlled enclave of northern Syria, where he met with local representatives, Kurd-focused news outlet NT TV reported on Tuesday.

Garrett arrived in Rojava, also known as the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria, on Nov. 23 and was welcomed by leaders from Manbij, al-Bab, Jarabulus, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, and other districts. He wanted to see the region for himself with input from local figures, said NT TV.

Also on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared there is no Islamic State (ISIS) in Syria and demanded the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS end its support for the Kurdish militia known as the People's Protection Units (YPG). "This is an opportunity for those who say that they are allies, that they are strategic partners," the president said in parliament.

Congressman Garrett, who serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, previously met with Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region’s Security Council Masrour Barzani, and had called for the establishment of a modern banking system in Rojava and greater assistance for displaced people.