Iraq, Turkey set to end standoff over military base with new pact
The deal, hailed by both sides as historic, includes an agreement to turn a Turkish military base in the Iraqi town of Bashiqa over to the Iraqi government.
![A soldier rides on a Turkish armored vehicle near the Habur crossing gate between Turkey and Iraq during a military drill on September 18, 2017.](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/2024-08/GettyImages-848870408%20copy.jpeg?h=a5ae579a&itok=VKpoJ4hR)
This is an excerpt from Turkey Briefing, Al-Monitor's weekly newsletter covering the big stories of the week in Turkey. To get Turkey Briefing in your inbox, sign up here.
ANKARA — Turkey and Iraq signed a military cooperation accord this week, which stands to end one of the key points of contention between Ankara and Baghdad, namely a Turkish military base in northern Iraqi town of Bashiqa.
Branded as “historic” by both sides, the memorandum of understanding on military, security and counterterrorism cooperation was signed on Thursday after two days of high-level talks between Turkish and Iraqi foreign defense ministers, as well as intelligence chiefs, in Ankara.
The deal includes an agreement to turn a Turkish military base in the Iraqi town of Bashiqa over to the Iraqi government as well as to build a joint military coordination center between Ankara and Baghdad to be based in Iraq.
Subscribe for unlimited access
All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more
Continue reading this article for free
Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more.
By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in