At a Glance

• Turkey will transfer control of the Bashiqa-Zilkan base to Iraqi authorities in phases.
• Ankara says the handover follows security measures implemented by Baghdad in Shingal.
• The process will follow an agreed mechanism and timetable.
• Turkish forces have used the base since 2015 after being invited by Iraqi authorities.

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Turkey will begin a phased handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base to Iraqi authorities, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said Thursday.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Phased Handover: “It has been decided to return the Bashiqa-Zilkan military bases to Iraqi forces in distinct phases.” — Turkish Ministry of Defense.
• Security Measures: “The handover process will proceed according to a set timetable.” — Turkish Ministry of Defense.
• Focus Area: The transfer is linked to Iraq’s efforts to establish state security authority in Shingal and address the presence of armed groups there.

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The announcement follows an agreement reached between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi in New York in September. The two sides agreed that Turkey would gradually transfer the base to the Iraqi federal government as Iraq advances security measures in Shingal (Sinjar).

The Turkish ministry said the handover follows progress by the Iraqi central government in establishing security measures in Shingal.

Turkey and Iraq had also agreed to work toward fully establishing Iraqi state authority in Shingal and ending the presence of foreign armed groups described by the two governments as outlawed.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on September 26 that Ankara would gradually reduce and ultimately end its military presence at Bashiqa as Iraq implements its roadmap to end the presence of armed groups.

FYI

The Turkish Defense Ministry said its forces have used the Bashiqa-Zilkan base since 2015 after being deployed at the request of Iraqi authorities to combat ISIS. Turkey established its military presence in the area near Mosul during the fight against ISIS. The deployment later became a point of dispute between Baghdad and Ankara.

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