Will Turkiye end its military presence in northern Iraq?
News Source
β’Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:06:54 +0000
π° What Happened
Turkey and Iraq have agreed that Turkish forces will slowly hand over a military base in northern Iraq to the Iraqi army. The base is in Sinjar. Al Jazeera's Inside Story looked at the deal this week. For many years, Turkey has kept soldiers and bases in northern Iraq.
It says it needs them to stop Kurdish fighters it calls a security threat. Turkey says cross-border attacks from the area were common. The two neighbours often clashed, and their ties got worse over time.
π The Backstory
Turkish troops have crossed into northern Iraq for decades. Turkey built several bases there and carried out strikes on Kurdish groups. Those groups have used the mountains of northern Iraq as a place to plan and hide.
Under the new deal, Turkey would hand one base to the Iraqi army in stages. In return, Baghdad has promised to deal with the armed groups Turkey worries about. Experts on the Inside Story panel said the plan faces hard questions, including how fast it can work.
π― Why It Matters
If Turkey really pulls back, it could ease tensions between two neighbours. That could bring more calm to a region where many families have lived with conflict for years.
Turkey and Iraq have agreed that Turkish forces will slowly hand over a military base in northern Iraq to the Iraqi army. The base is in Sinjar. Al Jazeera's Inside Story looked at the deal this week. For many years, Turkey has kept soldiers and bases in northern Iraq.
It says it needs them to stop Kurdish fighters it calls a security threat. Turkey says cross-border attacks from the area were common. The two neighbours often clashed, and their ties got worse over time.
Turkish troops have crossed into northern Iraq for decades. Turkey built several bases there and carried out strikes on Kurdish groups. Those groups have used the mountains of northern Iraq as a place to plan and hide.
Under the new deal, Turkey would hand one base to the Iraqi army in stages. In return, Baghdad has promised to deal with the armed groups Turkey worries about. Experts on the Inside Story panel said the plan faces hard questions, including how fast it can work.
If Turkey really pulls back, it could ease tensions between two neighbours. That could bring more calm to a region where many families have lived with conflict for years.