Bashiqa:Baghdad Turkish forces are set to start a gradual withdrawal from the Zilkan camp in Bashiqa this November, with the process expected to be completed by the end of the year, as confirmed by Sabah al-Nu’man, spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Al-Nu’man stated that the phased handover of the Zilkan camp will be completed by the year’s end, with the camp transitioning to the control of Iraqi security forces either by the end of this year or the beginning of the next. The withdrawal plan is part of a broader initiative established by a joint Iraqi-Turkish security committee, which has begun its work on the camp’s handover and on strengthening security measures in Sinjar.

The formation of this committee and its activities are based on agreements reached between the Iraqi Prime Minister and the Turkish President during a meeting in New York on September 23. These agreements cover four main areas enhancing security and strategic cooperation, reinforcing the authority of the Iraqi state in Sinjar, the planned withdrawal of Turkish forces from the Zilkan camp, and boosting economic collaboration.

The joint high-level committee has held meetings with Turkish counterparts, achieving significant understandings, particularly after recent progress in Sinjar. This progress included the Iraqi Army taking over security responsibilities, disarmament, and integrating Sinjar Resistance Units and other armed groups into the Iraqi security framework. This advancement has encouraged Turkey to honor its commitments regarding the Zilkan camp handover, as they acknowledge the Iraqi state’s dedication and capability in resolving these issues.

Al-Nu’man highlighted that the Turkish presence had been a longstanding contentious issue that previous governments had postponed. However, the current administration, led by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has prioritized resolving such matters, including the situation in Sinjar, successfully managing it in collaboration with local residents and Iraqi security forces.