Türkiye to Hand Over Bashiqa Military Base to Iraq in Phased Transfer

Türkiye and Iraq have agreed to begin a gradual transfer of Ankara’s military base in Bashiqa, northern Iraq, to the Iraqi government as part of a broader agreement to strengthen security and economic cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was reached during a meeting on Wednesday between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

According to a statement from the Iraqi prime minister’s office, the two leaders agreed on arrangements for the gradual handover of the Bashiqa facility and measures aimed at strengthening Iraqi state authority in northern areas.

The agreement also includes efforts to establish full state control in Sinjar and end the presence of foreign armed groups described by Baghdad as outlawed. The statement appeared to refer to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has maintained a presence in the region.

The Bashiqa base has been a longstanding source of tension between Ankara and Baghdad.

Türkiye established the military facility northeast of Mosul in December 2015, following an arrangement with Iraq’s Kurdistan Regional Government to train local forces fighting the ISIL (ISIS) armed group.

The deployment, which at one point involved up to about 600 Turkish soldiers, was opposed by Baghdad, which argued that the presence of Turkish troops violated Iraqi sovereignty.

Türkiye has maintained that its military operations in northern Iraq are aimed at addressing security threats, particularly those posed by the PKK.

The latest agreement comes after years of tensions and negotiations between the two governments over Turkish military activities in northern Iraq.

Security cooperation

The Sinjar region has remained a major focus of Turkish military operations because of the presence of PKK fighters and affiliated groups.

Cross-border operations in the area eased following a peace process between Ankara and the PKK in 2025, creating greater room for Iraqi federal authorities to strengthen their presence in the region.

The latest agreement is expected to increase security coordination between Baghdad and Ankara along their shared border.

Trade and infrastructure

The two countries also agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment and to implement previously signed agreements.

The Iraqi prime minister’s office said Ankara and Baghdad would accelerate strategic joint projects, particularly the Development Road project.

The multibillion-dollar initiative is designed to develop a major transport and trade corridor through Iraq, linking the Gulf region with Türkiye and onward markets in Europe.

The agreement on Bashiqa is therefore part of a wider effort by the two governments to strengthen cooperation on security, trade, investment and infrastructure.

The practical details and timetable for transferring the Bashiqa facility to Iraqi control are expected to be addressed through further discussions between the two countries.

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