OMM Redaksiyası
Türkiye’s armed forces will gradually hand over the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base in northern Iraq to Iraqi authorities, the Turkish National Defense Ministry said on Thursday.
The base has been used by Turkish forces since 2015 in the fight against the Islamic State group, also known as Daesh, at the request of Iraqi authorities. The handover will follow an agreed mechanism and timeline, with account taken of the Iraqi central government’s progress in security efforts in Sinjar, the ministry said in remarks following its weekly media briefing in Kayseri.
Türkiye pledges continued security cooperation with Iraq
The ministry welcomed recent steps by Baghdad to establish state authority in Sinjar, saying they could help normalize the region, improve security and stability, and create an area free of terrorism.
Türkiye would continue to support Iraq’s armed forces under bilateral agreements, including through military training, counterterrorism expertise, efforts to strengthen military capabilities and cooperation in the defence industry, it added.
Ministry criticizes arms buildup in Cyprus
Commenting on a military parade held by the Greek Cypriot Administration, the ministry said its continued arms buildup and military cooperation with third countries affected the island’s security environment and delicate balance.
It said actions by the Greek Cypriot Administration and Greece did not help build mutual trust and instead increased tensions and undermined stability. Türkiye reiterated that a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus issue could be achieved only through recognition of the Turkish Cypriot people’s sovereign equality and equal international status.
The ministry said Türkiye would continue working with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to protect the security, peace and well-being of Turkish Cypriots.
First two C-130J aircraft expected in December
The ministry said 12 “C-130J” aircraft being procured from the UK were due to be brought to Türkiye gradually after maintenance work there. The first two are scheduled for delivery in December.
Training is continuing for six pilots and six technicians in the United States, as well as 29 maintenance personnel in the UK, in line with the established schedule, the ministry said.
