At a Glance

• Iraq's Security Media Cell announced the official handover of the Bashiqa military base to federal Iraqi forces.

• Head of the Security Media Cell Saad Maan confirmed that only official Iraqi forces will occupy and secure the facility.

• The handover marks the beginning of a phased process for Turkey to transfer all remaining military installations on Iraqi soil.

• Officials emphasized the transition shifts bilateral ties toward economic cooperation and accelerates the Development Road project.

In a major milestone for national sovereignty, federal authorities have formally taken control of the Bashiqa military base from Turkish forces, marking a decisive shift in security dynamics across northern Iraq.

Strategic Significance and Implementation Steps

• Exclusive Federal Control: Saad Maan stressed that the transition ensures only official Iraqi military units maintain a presence at the base, reinforcing state authority over national defense.

• Phased Evacuation Schedule: The transfer of Bashiqa serves as the initial phase of a broader roadmap under which Turkey will progressively hand over remaining military sites to the Iraqi state.

• Broader Regional Security: The agreement paves the way for enhanced administrative security in Nineveh Province and surrounding areas, aligning with broader state efforts to consolidate state arms and resolve regional armed group presence.

This diplomatic and security breakthrough transforms traditional military friction points into avenues for strategic economic partnership and joint infrastructure development between Baghdad and Ankara.

FYI

The Bashiqa base is situated in the Nineveh Plain north of Mosul, a region of critical geopolitical importance for federal security coordination and regional border stability.

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