Turkey Withdraws from Its Military Base in Iraq
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense announced Ankara’s decision to gradually hand over the “Bashiqa – Zelikan” base in northeastern Mosul to Iraqi authorities, based on a mechanism agreed upon by both countries.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense stated that it will gradually transfer the “Bashiqa – Zelikan” base, located in northeastern Mosul, to Iraqi officials according to the mechanism established between the two nations.
The Turkish Ministry of National Defense emphasized that this step comes following tangible progress made by the Iraqi government in implementing security measures in the Sinjar region.
According to a joint statement by Iraq and Turkey, both parties have agreed to take the necessary measures to end the presence of these armed elements and to strengthen the role and sovereignty of the Iraqi government in Sinjar.
Furthermore, under the agreement between Baghdad and Ankara, Turkish forces will gradually turn over the Bashiqa – Zelikan base to the Iraqi government.
Sinjar, a district located in the Nineveh Governorate in northwestern Iraq, has over recent years become one of the focal points of security disputes among Baghdad, Ankara, and armed groups active in the area.
Turkey has cited countering security threats, particularly the activities of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), as the reason for its military presence in northern Iraq.
