Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Turkey will gradually hand over the Bashiqa military base to the Iraqi government, a move that signals a shift in the country’s military footprint in Iraq. The announcement was made in the context of a broader conversation at the United Nations General Assembly, where Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al‑Zaidi and Erdoğan pledged deeper security cooperation between their two nations.

While the exact timeline for the handover was not detailed, the decision represents a significant step for Turkey, which has maintained a presence at the Bashiqa base since 2019. The base is located in Iraq and has been used by Turkish forces as part of their operations in the region. The gradual nature of the transfer indicates that Turkey intends to maintain a level of engagement while easing its direct military involvement.

At the UN General Assembly, both leaders emphasized the importance of a stronger partnership in security matters. The pledge of deeper cooperation reflects a mutual interest in stabilizing the region and addressing shared security challenges. By moving to hand over the base, Turkey is demonstrating its commitment to these goals and to a more collaborative relationship with Iraq.

As the handover progresses, both governments will likely coordinate on the logistics of transferring control and ensuring a smooth transition. The move also opens the door for future joint initiatives that could further strengthen diplomatic and security ties between the two countries.