In a joint statement released after a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi announced a phased withdrawal of Turkish forces from the Bashiqa‑Zelikan camp in northern Iraq. The agreement calls for the base to be handed over to the Iraqi federal government according to a pre‑agreed mechanism and timeline.
Security Gains Prompt Transfer
Erdogan highlighted “the progress Iraq has achieved through security measures” as the catalyst for the handover. The statement also affirmed that Iraq will fully extend its authority in the Sinjar region and work to eliminate the presence of banned foreign armed elements.
Sinjar, a historically contested area in northwestern Iraq, has long been a flashpoint for Turkish security concerns. Turkey has repeatedly accused armed groups with ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of threatening its borders. In response, the Iraqi government announced earlier this month that the Sinjar Resistance Units – a Yazidi militia linked to the PKK – had agreed to disarm, with eligible fighters slated for integration into Iraqi security forces.
Background on the Bashiqa Base
Turkey first established a military presence at the Bashiqa‑Zelikan camp in 2015 to support operations against the Islamic State and to help secure the volatile border region. While Turkey maintains several bases in northern Iraq for ongoing PKK‑related operations, Bashiqa is its most distant outpost from the Turkish frontier.
Previous attempts to withdraw Turkish troops from the camp have stalled, making this gradual handover a notable development in Ankara’s long‑standing effort to reduce its footprint while still safeguarding national security interests.
Broader Regional Context
The agreement arrives as the United States prepares to end its decades‑long military presence in Iraq, with U.S. officials indicating that the remaining troops in northern Iraq will be withdrawn by the September 30 deadline. Turkey, meanwhile, continues peace negotiations with the PKK, seeking a lasting resolution to a conflict that has spanned decades and caused significant civilian hardship.
Both governments framed the deal as a step toward greater stability in the region, emphasizing cooperation on counter‑terrorism and the removal of non‑state armed groups that threaten the safety of local populations.
What This Means for the Region
For Iraq, gaining full control of the Bashiqa‑Zelikan camp represents a strengthening of sovereign authority in a strategically important area. For Turkey, the phased withdrawal allows Ankara to maintain pressure on PKK‑linked elements while demonstrating a willingness to cooperate with Baghdad on security matters.
Observers note that the success of the handover will depend on Iraq’s ability to enforce the disarmament of PKK‑affiliated militias and to sustain security gains without a Turkish military presence. The joint statement suggests both sides are committed to monitoring the process closely.
As the timeline unfolds, regional stakeholders will be watching to see whether the agreement can serve as a model for resolving other contested military outposts across the Middle East.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
