Turkey, Iraq agree to gradual handover of Bashiqa military base

Turkey and Iraq agreed Wednesday to gradually transfer Turkey's Bashiqa base to Baghdad after a UNGA meeting between Erdogan and Iraqi PM al-Zaidi.

• Erdogan and al-Zaidi met Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
• The two governments said Turkish forces will hand over the Bashiqa-Zelikan camp gradually, according to an agreed mechanism and timetable.
• Both sides agreed to fully establish Iraqi state authority in Sinjar and end the presence of outlawed foreign armed elements.
• The sides agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment and accelerate joint strategic projects including the Development Road.
• The joint statement set no final deadline for the handover, citing only gradual implementation under agreed security understandings and timetables.