Turkiye has agreed to a gradual handover of the Bashiqa base to Iraq, with the two countries' leaders pledging deeper security cooperation during the UN General Assembly.
Key facts
- Turkiye agreed to a gradual handover of the Bashiqa base to Iraq.
- Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi and Turkish President Erdogan pledged deeper security cooperation.
- The commitments were made at the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
Turkiye has agreed to a gradual handover of the Bashiqa military base to Iraq, marking a step in the two countries’ evolving security relationship. The agreement was reported by Al Jazeera on September 24, 2026.
The commitment came as Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where the two leaders pledged deeper security cooperation.
According to Al Jazeera, the leaders framed the base handover within a broader effort to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring states.
The Bashiqa base has long been a point of discussion in relations between Ankara and Baghdad. A gradual handover suggests a phased approach rather than an immediate transfer of the facility.
The meeting between al-Zaidi and Erdogan at UNGA underscored both governments’ stated intention to expand their security collaboration going forward.
Why it matters
The presence of foreign military bases on Iraqi soil has been a sensitive issue for Baghdad's sovereignty. A phased handover of the Bashiqa base signals a shift in relations between Turkiye and Iraq and could reshape security cooperation between the two neighbours.
Frequently asked questions
What did Turkiye agree to regarding the Bashiqa base?
According to Al Jazeera, Turkiye agreed to a gradual, or phased, handover of the Bashiqa base to Iraq.
Where was the agreement announced?
The commitment came as Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi and Turkish President Erdogan met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where they pledged deeper security cooperation.
Who were the leaders involved?
Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were the leaders involved, according to Al Jazeera.