Türkiye confirms withdrawal of troops from Iraq
.jpg)
Iraqi soldiers inspect the site of a destroyed health care center in the Habbaniyah military base, which was targeted by an airstrike, Habbaniyah, Iraq, March 26, 2026. (AFP Photo) T he Ministry of National Defense announced on Thursday that Turkish troops stationed in Baghdad as part of the NATO Iraq mission have left the country under the current circumstances. Daily Sabah has reported that NATO ordered its staff in Iraq to evacuate last Friday, while Iraq said that it was a temporary precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the personnel. Iraq, like Türkiye, stands to be affected by the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war. NATO elements in Türkiye have intercepted several missiles reportedly fired by Iran, but the spillover of the conflict was worse for Iraq. Since the outbreak of war on Feb. 28, after U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran, strikes have targeted both U.S. interests and pro-Iranian groups in Iraq. Baghdad has hardened its stance. On...