# Security and sovereignty efforts in Sinjar

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-sovereignty-efforts-in-sinjar
> Updated: 2026-09-23T19:17:00.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 2.

The Iraqi government has initiated a plan to centralize security and administrative control in the Sinjar region. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi announced that armed groups in Sinjar, including those linked to the PKK, will begin handing over weapons to the Iraqi state. This stabilization plan includes integrating qualified members of local resistance and women’s units into official Iraqi security institutions and launching reconstruction efforts to support displaced Yazidi citizens.

Following these developments, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister al-Zaidi reached a strategic security agreement in New York on September 23, 2026, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. The accord focuses on restoring state authority in Sinjar and eliminating illegal foreign armed elements in the region.

Under this agreement, Turkish forces will gradually hand over the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base to the Iraqi Federal Government. This handover will follow an agreed mechanism and timetable, contingent upon the progress of Iraqi security implementations. Beyond security, both nations committed to deepening economic ties through expanded bilateral trade and accelerating strategic joint projects, most notably the Development Road Project.

## Claims

- The specific timetable for the Bashiqa base handover has not been determined. (disputed by 20 sources)
- Turkish forces will gradually hand over the Bashiqa-Zilkan base to the Iraqi Federal Government based on an agreed mechanism and timetable. (disputed by 20 sources)
- Turkey and Iraq reached an agreement to fully restore state authority in Sinjar. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- The leaders agreed to expand bilateral trade and investment volumes. (corroborated by 20 sources)
- President Erdoğan and Prime Minister al-Zaidi met in New York during the UN General Assembly. (corroborated by 20 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Turkey and Iraq agree to Bashiqa base handover and Sinjar security plan

Turkey and Iraq have agreed to a gradual handover of the Bashiqa-Zilkan military base to Baghdad and to restore state authority in Sinjar by eliminating illegal foreign armed elements.

20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-and-iraq-reach-security-agreement-on-sinjar

### 2026-09-11: Sinjar armed groups to hand over weapons to Iraqi government

Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi announced that Sinjar resistance groups will hand over weapons to the state, placing the region under full federal control and integrating qualified members into official security forces.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iraq-sinjar-resistance-units-to-hand-over-weapons-to-government

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Cite as: Security and sovereignty efforts in Sinjar. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/security-and-sovereignty-efforts-in-sinjar