Türkiye and Iraq reaffirm push to end PKK presence in Sinjar
Türkiye will begin the gradual handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan base to Iraq's federal government, and the two sides will activate a joint security committee.
Türkiye and Iraq reaffirmed on Sunday their commitment to restoring full state authority in Sinjar and ending the presence of PKK elements, Türkiye's Communications Directorate said in a joint statement carried by Anadolu Agency.
The statement said both countries are determined to continue the "commendable steps" Iraqi authorities have taken so far toward restoring state authority in Sinjar and ending the presence of PKK elements.
The two countries based this effort on an agreement reached by their leaders on Sept. 23, 2026.
Türkiye also said it would begin the necessary steps for the gradual handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan base to the Iraqi federal government, in line with the leaders' agreement.
The two sides further decided to activate the Joint Security Coordination Committee, as agreed earlier, to jointly verify and monitor progress in Sinjar.
The committee's work is meant to track the process launched in Sinjar to completely end the presence of the PKK, the statement said.
The PKK, which has fought the Turkish state for decades, is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.
Sinjar, a district in northern Iraq near the Syrian border, is home to many Yazidis, who were attacked by Islamic State fighters in 2014, and PKK-linked fighters later became active there.