Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Zaidi announced at the United Nations General Assembly that Turkey will gradually hand over the Bashiqa military base to Iraq, a move they said will deepen security cooperation between the two neighbours.
The two leaders described the handover as a phased process, with Turkey and Iraq coordinating the transition to ensure that security arrangements remain uninterrupted. No specific timetable was disclosed, but both sides emphasized that the gradual approach will allow for a smooth transfer of responsibilities.
During the same UNGA session, Erdogan and al‑Zaidi pledged to expand joint security efforts, signalling a broader agenda of collaboration beyond the base itself. The commitment was presented as part of ongoing dialogue aimed at strengthening stability in the region.
Turkey and Iraq have a history of cooperating on security matters, particularly in combating cross‑border militant groups such as the PKK and remnants of ISIS. The Bashiqa base, located in northern Iraq, has been a focal point of Turkish military presence, and its handover is viewed as a step toward reinforcing Iraqi sovereignty while maintaining joint operational capabilities.
Both governments indicated that the gradual transfer will be accompanied by continued coordination mechanisms, ensuring that the base’s strategic role in regional security is preserved even as control shifts to Iraqi authorities.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
