Turkish forces to gradually withdraw from Bashiqa-Zilkan base in Iraq

Turkish forces would gradually hand over the Bashiqa-Zilkan base to Iraq's federal government in line with an agreed mechanism and timetable, according to a joint statement issued after talks between Türkiye and Iraq.

The move would follow progress in security measures implemented by Iraq, as the two countries agreed to deepen security cooperation and work to fully restore state authority in Sinjar and eliminate the presence of illegal foreign armed elements.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi met in New York on September 23, where they discussed all aspects of strategic relations between the two countries.

The two sides also agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment, ensure the immediate implementation of signed agreements and accelerate joint strategic projects, particularly the Development Road Project.

The Bashiqa-Zilkan base is a Turkish military installation in northern Iraq, near Mosul. Türkiye established its military presence there in 2015, during the fight against Islamic State (IS), saying its troops were there to train and support Iraqi forces and local fighters preparing to combat the group.

The deployment has been a source of tension between Ankara and Baghdad, with Iraqi authorities at times calling for Turkish forces to leave, citing concerns over Iraqi sovereignty. At the same time, Türkiye has maintained that its military presence is linked to security threats from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Türkiye, the United States and the European Union designate as a terrorist organisation.

In 2024, Türkiye and Iraq agreed to establish a Joint Training and Cooperation Centre in Bashiqa as part of broader security cooperation.

By Aghakazim Guliyev