Reuters reported, citing four sources from Damascus and Ankara, that the heads of Turkish intelligence, Hakan Fidan, and Syrian intelligence, Ali Mamlouk, met in Damascus in recent weeks. The agency quoted a "Damascus-affiliated source" stating that the head of the National Security Bureau, General Ali Mamlouk, and Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan held several meetings in Damascus. The source noted that the recent meetings, including Fidan's two-day visit to Damascus at the end of August, aimed to pave the way for higher-level sessions.
The agency also reported from a source described as "loyal to President Bashar al-Assad" in the Middle East that "Turkish-Syrian communications have made significant progress," without providing further details. A "third regional source allied with Damascus" mentioned that Turkish-Syrian relations are beginning to improve and progress towards "creating an environment for understanding."
The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the undisclosed communications. The agency cited a "senior Turkish official" and a "Turkish security source" who stated that Fidan—one of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s closest allies—and Mamlouk discussed ways for the foreign ministers of both countries to eventually meet.
The Turkish official said: "Russia wants Syria and Turkey to move past their problems and reach certain agreements that benefit everyone, both Turkey and Syria." He added that "one of the significant challenges is Turkey's desire to involve Syrian rebels in any discussions with Damascus." While Fidan and Mamlouk have communicated sporadically over the past two years, the recent frequency and timing of the meetings indicate a new urgency for communication, according to the agency.
