Iraq's military spokesperson has announced that the phased withdrawal of Turkish forces from the Zilkan military base in Nineveh's Bashiqa subdistrict will begin this month, with the process expected to be completed by the end of 2026, kurdistan24.net reports.
On Monday, Sabah Numan, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of Iraq's Armed Forces, told Iraqi media that the handover of the military base would begin in phases during November, with the Turkish military presence expected to end by year-end.
Numan said the base would come under the control of Iraqi security forces by the end of this year or early 2027.
He revealed that a joint Iraqi-Turkish security committee had begun overseeing the handover process and strengthening security measures in Sinjar. The committee, comprising representatives from both countries, is expected to intensify its work in the coming period to ensure the transfer is completed within the agreed timeframe.
According to Numan, the committee's activation followed understandings reached between the Iraqi prime minister and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during their meeting in New York on September 23.
The understandings are based on four main principles: strengthening security and strategic cooperation and coordination, reinforcing the Iraqi state's authority in Sinjar, facilitating the phased withdrawal of Turkish forces from Zilkan base, and expanding economic cooperation.
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