It seems that the news circulating about the withdrawal of Turkish forces from military sites in northern Iraq is not enough to talk about the end of Ankara's military presence in Iraqi territory. While in Baghdad there is talk of an understanding to hand over the Zelikan base in Bashiqa to the Iraqi government, security data indicate the continuation of the Turkish army's movements in the border areas of Dohuk Governorate, which will strengthen doubts about Ankara's intention to actually reduce its deployment, or reorganize it and stabilize its positions of influence along the border.
In this regard, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Ghaith Al-Sorji, confirmed to Al-Akhbar that the Zulikan base did not witness a complete or gradual withdrawal of Turkish forces, and that Ankara's military presence continues elsewhere in Erbil and Duhok governorates, which indicates that the Turkish sites in the north and in various areas still exist in northern and Turkish areas.