Turkey and Iraq Agree on Transfer of Turkish Military Base

Turkey is set to transfer control of the strategic Bashika-Zilkan military base in northern Iraq to Baghdad, a move that could reshape regional dynamics and potentially impact Israeli interests. The agreement was reached between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, according to Maariv.

The deal involves the gradual handover of the base, located near Mosul, which Turkey has occupied since 2015 despite repeated demands from Baghdad for its withdrawal. This base has been a significant point of contention between the two nations for over a decade.

The transfer aims to restore Iraqi control over the territory and strengthen Ankara's ties with the central Iraqi government, creating new avenues for security cooperation. The agreement also addresses security measures in the Sinjar region near the Syrian border, with both sides agreeing to enhance state control and remove foreign armed groups deemed illegal. For Turkey, Sinjar is strategically important in its efforts to counter the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliates.

This enhanced coordination with Baghdad could allow Turkey to pursue its security objectives in the region more effectively, potentially reducing its reliance on its own military presence in Iraq. The developing Turkish-Iraqi partnership is particularly noteworthy for Israel, given Turkey's expanding influence in Syria and its broader strategic positioning in the Middle East.