Security
A new strategic step aimed at bolstering national sovereignty is drawing attention, as Lieutenant General Saad Maan, Head of the Security Media Cell, affirmed on Friday that the handover of "Zelikan" camp to the federal government represents a significant achievement. He simultaneously underscored the self-sufficiency of the security forces in protecting the country and their independence from any armed factions operating outside the state framework. Maan explained that the agreement between Iraq and Turkey regarding the handover of the (Bashiqa-Zelikan) camp has yielded multiple gains, primarily consolidating the Iraqi state's presence and extending its full sovereignty over its territories. The direct handover of the camp to the federal government, rather than to any local entity or other formation, strongly reaffirms the principle that the administration of Iraq's lands, military, and security installations falls exclusively within the purview of official state institutions. This step, according to Maan's statements, opens new horizons for reorganizing the security situation in Nineveh Governorate and the areas surrounding Mosul city, thereby fostering the establishment of more stable and effective Iraqi security arrangements. He noted that this agreement links the camp's handover process to the tangible progress Iraq has made through its continuous security measures. The agreement also carries significant political and diplomatic dimensions, as it shifts the issue of Turkish military presence from a framework of dispute to a negotiated security resolution between the two countries. This coincides with deepening security and economic cooperation and accelerating the pace of joint strategic projects, most notably the vital "Development Road" project. In the context of extending state authority, Maan affirmed that the handover of Bashiqa-Zelikan camp represents, from a political and constitutional standpoint, a practical step towards consolidating sovereignty and fully extending state authority in Sinjar, thereby ending the presence of prohibited foreign armed elements. He stressed the necessity of interpreting this agreement as an integrated security package that is not limited to merely evacuating the military site but forms part of a broader vision. He further elaborated that the Iraqi government adopts the principle of confining power and weapons exclusively to the state, enhancing the security forces' capacity to effectively protect Iraqi territory. In this regard, he noted that the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Al-Zaidi, had previously affirmed that Iraqi security forces possess full capability to protect its territories, and there is no need for the presence of armed factions outside the state framework. This affirmation makes the handover of "Zelikan" an integral part of a broader trajectory aimed at fully re-establishing the state's security jurisdiction. Regarding the mechanisms and timelines for implementation, Maan revealed the actual transition from the negotiation phase to practical application. Both parties have agreed that the handover of the camp to the federal government will be gradual and according to a previously agreed-upon mechanism and timetable. He pointed out that the process is currently proceeding with organized and continuous coordination between the two sides, ensuring the preservation of Iraq's security interests and sovereignty away from any sudden or unilateral actions. Maan concluded his statement by emphasizing a clear and strong correlation between the trajectory of the Turkish forces' withdrawal and the ongoing security measures in northern Iraq, particularly concerning the enforcement of law in Sinjar and ending the foreign armed presence. He stressed that addressing these sensitive issues through official state institutions guarantees the unity of security decision-making, confines weapons to the state, and creates a suitable environment for implementing joint understandings with the Turkish side to achieve the supreme national interest.
