Turkey and Iraq Agree to Phased Handover of Bashiqa Military Base
Turkish and Iraqi leaders in New York agreed to transfer control of the Bashiqa base to Baghdad. The deal also targets PKK presence in Sinjar.
Key points
- Türkiye and Iraq agreed to a gradual handover of the Bashiqa base to Baghdad.
- The deal was reached during a meeting at the UN General Assembly in New York.
- The agreement aims to establish state authority in Sinjar and expand trade.
Türkiye and Iraq have agreed to a gradual transfer of the Bashiqa military base to Baghdad. The deal was announced Wednesday after a meeting in New York. It follows a long-standing dispute over the facility's presence in northern Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reached the accord. They met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. According to Al Jazeera English, the agreement marks a shift in the two nations' security relationship.
Strategic shift in northern Iraq
The base was originally established in December 2015. It was set up to train local forces against ISIL. At its peak, up to 600 Turkish soldiers were deployed at the site. Baghdad had long viewed this presence as a violation of its sovereignty.
The new agreement aims to fully establish state authority in the Sinjar region. The statement references ending the presence of outlawed foreign armed elements. This appears to be a direct reference to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. The PKK has maintained a presence in the mountainous area for years.
Broader security and trade goals
Leaders pledged to expand bilateral trade and investment volumes. They agreed to implement signed agreements immediately. The parties also plan to accelerate joint strategic projects. The Development Road project is a key focus of these efforts.
Cross-border military operations in Sinjar had eased recently. This followed a landmark peace process between Ankara and the PKK in 2025. This development paved the way for federal authorities to assert control over the border zone. The current accord caps months of diplomatic efforts.
