Iraq agrees to Turkish base deal as militia disarmament timeline debated

AI Summary

Iraq has agreed to a deal with Turkey for the gradual handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base, coinciding with a planned disarmament of Iran-backed militias by June 2027. This move aligns with efforts to consolidate military control within Iraq ahead of the withdrawal of US forces.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al Zaidi has outlined a plan to disarm Iran-backed militias by June 2027 as Baghdad prepares for the withdrawal of US forces. The proposed disarmament timeline coincides with an agreement for Turkey to gradually hand over its Bashiqa-Zilkan military base to Iraq, part of wider efforts to bring armed groups and military facilities under Iraqi state control. The post Iraq agrees to Turkish base deal as militia disarmament timeline debated appeared first on FDD's Long War Journal.