Turkiye agrees to gradual handover of Bashiqa base to Iraq

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Published: 2026-09-24T02:30:49.233Z • Permanent link

Turkiye has agreed to a gradual handover of the Bashiqa base to Iraq, a move that marks a significant shift in the country's stance on the Syrian conflict. The base, which has been controlled by Turkiye-backed forces since 2014, has been a focal point of tensions between Ankara and Baghdad. According to reports from aljazeera.com, Turkiye's decision is seen as a response to mounting pressure from Iraq and its international partners.

Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been under increasing pressure to abandon the base, which has been used as a training ground for Turkiye's Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces. The base has been the subject of several UN Security Council resolutions, and Iraq has long demanded its closure. In recent months, Iraq has strengthened its military presence along the border with Turkiye, further escalating tensions.

Erdogan's decision is also seen as a strategic move to improve relations with Iraq and the international community. Turkiye has been engaged in a series of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria, and the handover of the Bashiqa base is seen as a key step in this process. The base's closure will also pave the way for the withdrawal of FSA forces from Syria, a move that has been long advocated by the international community.

Turkiye's decision to hand over the Bashiqa base to Iraq has significant implications for the AI & Tech Ecosystems domain. The base's closure will likely have a major impact on the research community, which has been using the base as a hub for counter-terrorism research and training. The University of Gaziantep, which has been conducting research at the base, will need to adapt to the new security environment and find alternative locations for its operations.

The handover of the base will also have significant implications for the markets. The base has been a key location for the sale of arms and military equipment to FSA forces, and its closure will likely disrupt this supply chain. The impact on the markets will be closely watched, particularly in the region, where the conflict in Syria has had a major impact on trade and commerce.

The closure of the base will also have significant implications for the policy environment. The international community has long advocated for the closure of the base, and the handover is seen as a major victory for this campaign. The move will also pave the way for a more coordinated approach to addressing the conflict in Syria, with Iraq and Turkiye playing key roles in the process.