Politics · Turkey · 2 hrs ago
Türkiye and Iraq Agree on Sinjar Security Steps and Base Handover
Türkiye and Iraq agreed on new security steps focused on Sinjar, in Iraq.
The two countries said Iraq would continue efforts to establish full government authority there and end the presence of the PKK, which Türkiye identifies as a terrorist organization.
The agreement follows an understanding reached by the countries’ leaders on September 23, 2026.
Türkiye will begin steps to hand over the Başika-Zilkan site gradually to Iraq’s federal government.
The countries also decided to activate a joint security committee to monitor progress on ending the PKK’s presence in Sinjar.
The committee will jointly check how the process is advancing.
Türkiye and Iraq reaffirmed their commitment to steps to restore full state authority in Sinjar and end the presence of PKK elements there.
Türkiye said it would begin steps to transfer the Başika-Zilikan site to Iraq’s federal government in stages.
The two sides agreed to activate a Joint Security Coordination Committee to jointly confirm and monitor progress in Sinjar.
The decisions were announced by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate on November 8, 2026.
The steps follow an understanding reached by the two countries’ leaders on September 23, 2026.
- Who
- Türkiye and Iraq.
- What
- They reaffirmed Sinjar security steps, agreed to activate a joint committee and said Türkiye would begin a staged handover of the Başika-Zilikan site.
- When
- The announcement was published on November 8, 2026. It refers to an understanding reached on September 23, 2026.
- Where
- Sinjar and the Başika-Zilikan site in Iraq.
- Why
- To restore full state authority in Sinjar, end the presence of PKK elements there and advance the leaders’ understanding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The leaders of Türkiye and Iraq reached an understanding referenced in the later decisions.
Türkiye’s Communications Directorate announced the joint decisions, including activation of the Joint Security Coordination Committee.
- Sinjar
- The sides reaffirmed steps to establish full Iraqi state authority and end the presence of PKK elements.
- Başika-Zilikan
- Türkiye said it would begin steps towards a gradual handover to Iraq’s Federal Government.
- Joint committee
- The sides agreed to activate the Joint Security Coordination Committee to confirm and monitor progress in Sinjar.
- Leaders’ understanding
- Reached on September 23, 2026.
- Announcement
- Published November 8, 2026.
What people are saying
The Turkish and Iraqi authorities reaffirm their shared determination to continue the commendable steps taken so far by the Iraqi authorities towards establishing full state authority in Sinjar and ending the presence of PKK terrorist organization elements.
The Turkish side declares that it will begin taking the steps required of it towards the gradual transfer of the Başika-Zilikan site to the Iraqi Federal Government.