Joint statement from Türkiye and Iraq: Transfer process begins for Bashiqa-Zelikan

Türkiye and Iraq announced the start of a phased handover of the Başika-Zilikan compound to the Iraqi federal government, with both sides set to jointly oversee the process. The two governments also said the arrangement aims to end the PKK's presence in Sinjar, adding a security dimension to the transfer. The move matters because it signals a coordinated effort to reduce friction over Turkish military presence on Iraqi soil while addressing a long-running dispute in the Sinjar region. Details on the timeline, the scope of the joint monitoring mechanism and the size of the forces involved were not immediately specified. What to watch next is how quickly the phased transfer is implemented and whether the two capitals sustain cooperation on Sinjar security.