According to Reuters, Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief, Hakan Fidan, held talks in Damascus at the end of August.

Fidan was also received by Sunni leader Hamis Hançer, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kazimi and President Barhem Salih in Baghdad on 11 September, causing reactions and questions among many parliamentarians.

Reuters, citing two Turkish officials and a source linked to Damascus, wrote that Fidan met with Syrian Intelligence Leader Ali Mamluk. It is stated that Russia mediated the meeting.

According to an anonymous Turkish official, Fidan's contacts set the stage for a meeting of the foreign ministers of the two countries.

The Turkish official said: "Russia wants Syria and Turkey to overcome their problems and to reach some agreements that are in the interest of everyone."

Damascus-linked regional sources, on the other hand, argued that Russia, which is busy with the occupation of Ukraine, encouraged Syria to enter negotiations.

The same source noted that the meetings held, including Fidan's two-day visit to Damascus at the end of August, aimed to lay the groundwork for higher-level talks.

It is reported that secret talks between the parties have been going on for a while.

The French Intelligence Online site, which publishes intelligence-based news, wrote that there was a meeting between Hakan Fidan and Ali Mamluk in the Russian capital, Moscow, on Wednesday, 7 September.