Iraq-Türkiye Security and Base Agreement
Iraq and Türkiye Agree to Deepen Security Cooperation and Hand Over Military Base
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Key Points
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The agreement was reached during a closed-door meeting at the Turkish House (Turkevi) in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
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Türkiye has maintained a military presence at the Bashiqa camp near Mosul since 2015, and the deployment has periodically strained relations with Baghdad, which has at times called for Turkish withdrawal.
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The joint statement did not identify which groups were meant by the reference to “banned foreign armed elements” in Sinjar.
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The leaders reviewed the full strategic relationship between Türkiye and Iraq and framed the cooperation as extending across political, economic and security fields, rather than focusing solely on the base handover.
Türkiye and Iraq have agreed to gradually hand over a major military base near Mosul to Baghdad, marking a significant shift in their long-strained security relationship. Al Jazeera reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi reached the deal during a closed-door meeting at the Turkish House in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The agreement also requires Iraq to reassert full government control over the disputed region of Sinjar and eliminate what both nations call banned foreign armed groups there.
The handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan base — where Turkish forces have been stationed since 2015 — will proceed gradually once Iraq meets the security conditions. France24 notes the two countries have also committed to expanding trade, investment, and the Development Road Project, which aims to link Iraq's Gulf coast to Türkiye and European markets. The exact timeline and mechanism for the base transfer remain to be negotiated between the governments.
A Long-Standing Military Dispute Finally Resolved
Türkiye has maintained a military foothold at Bashiqa since 2015, a presence that repeatedly sparked tensions with Baghdad. Iraq's government had periodically demanded Turkish withdrawal, viewing the deployment as a violation of its sovereignty. Yahoo News Singapore reports that the new agreement represents a major concession from Ankara and a diplomatic victory for the Iraqi government seeking to consolidate control over its northern border regions.
Sinjar Becomes Central to Security Framework
Sinjar, a strategic region in northwestern Iraq, has long been contested between different groups. The agreement commits both nations to removing what they describe as banned foreign armed elements from the area. However, SCMP notes that the joint statement did not specify which groups were meant by this reference, leaving some ambiguity about implementation. Full restoration of Iraqi government authority in Sinjar is now a stated priority for both capitals.
Broader Economic and Strategic Partnership
Beyond military cooperation, the two leaders framed their agreement as part of a comprehensive strategic relationship. Yahoo News Malaysia reports the governments pledged to expand trade and investment ties while accelerating joint infrastructure projects. The Development Road Project stands out as a centerpiece — it will create an economic corridor connecting Iraq's Gulf ports with Turkish and European markets, potentially transforming regional commerce.
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