Türkiye to hand over Başika-Zelikan Base to Iraq on agreed timetable

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense announced that Başika-Zelikan Base, used since 2015, will be gradually handed over to Iraqi authorities. The handover will proceed under an agreed mechanism and timetable, taking into account the progress made by Iraq’s central government in implementing security measures in Sinjar.

Scraper SystemOctober 01, 2026, 07:56 PM

Türkiye to hand over Başika-Zelikan Base to Iraq on agreed timetable

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense announced that a decision had been made to gradually hand over Başika-Zelikan Base, which has been used by the Turkish Armed Forces since 2015, to Iraqi authorities. The base began operating at the request of Iraqi authorities as part of efforts to combat the Daesh terrorist organization.

According to the ministry’s statement, the handover will be carried out in line with the agreed mechanism and timetable. The process will take into account the progress made by Iraq’s central government in implementing security measures in Sinjar.

The Ministry of National Defense welcomed the latest steps taken by Iraq’s central government to establish state authority in Sinjar. It said these steps would contribute to normalizing the situation in the region, strengthening security and stability, and creating an area free of terrorism.

Başika'daki Şeyh Nasreddin türbesi (arşiv, 2024)

The ministry said Türkiye would continue supporting Iraq’s efforts to ensure regional security and stability. It added that contacts between the two countries would address steps to advance military and security cooperation to a higher level.

Türkiye will also continue providing support to the Iraqi Armed Forces under bilateral agreements in developing military capabilities, sharing experience in combating terrorism, military training and the defense industry.

Mecca defense cooperation

The ministry announced that the chiefs of staff of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye met on September 25, 2026, in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The meeting addressed developing cooperation among the three countries’ armed forces, strengthening military coordination, integrating capabilities, and enhancing deterrence and joint defense.

Başika kasabasından genel görünüm (arşiv, 2024)

Statement on the electricity cable in the Eastern Mediterranean

In a statement on the route of the electricity cable between Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus, the ministry said prior coordination was required for cable-laying, pipeline-laying and scientific research activities on Türkiye’s continental shelf.

The ministry said Türkiye would prevent unauthorized activities in the Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of its rights and authorities arising from its continental shelf status. It stated that the relevant boundaries had been established by maritime jurisdiction delimitation agreements signed between Türkiye and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and between Türkiye and Libya, and that these boundaries had been notified to the United Nations on March 18, 2020.

Türkiye to hand over Başika-Zelikan Base to Iraq on agreed timetable