Turkey agrees to give up key base in Iraq after years of tension.

The Iraqi government expects Turkey to begin pulling its troops out of the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base in northern Iraq this month, marking a tangible shift in a long-running dispute. Ankara deployed troops to the outpost in 2015, creating friction with Baghdad over Iraqi sovereignty.

Analysts note this gradual handover, agreed upon by both countries' leaders in September, is a significant political step toward mending relations but may have limited immediate military impact. The withdrawal is tied to progress against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the region and coincides with broader security shifts across the Middle East. The key takeaway is a diplomatic thaw that restores Iraqi control over a sensitive border area.