26.03.2026 12:41
According to a statement from the Ministry of National Defense, Turkish troops in Iraq have been evacuated as part of the NATO withdrawal plan. The statement included, "In light of recent developments in our region, it has been decided to withdraw the 'NATO Mission in Iraq.' The evacuation of our Turkish Armed Forces personnel serving in the capital of Iraq, Baghdad, has been successfully carried out."
The Ministry of National Defense (MSB) answered questions at the weekly press briefing.
In response to a question regarding the Eurofighter technical and logistics support contract, the MSB stated, "A contract for the procurement of 20 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, equipment, and ammunition within the scope of the Eurofighter Typhoon Project was signed in October 2025 by our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Mr. Keir Starmer. A technical and logistics support contract for the maintenance and operation of the aircraft under the Eurofighter Typhoon Project was signed yesterday in London by our Minister of National Defense Mr. Yaşar Güler and the UK Secretary of State for Defense Mr. John Healey. The contract includes training for pilots and instructor pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, electronic warfare and system managers, as well as spare parts, simulators, test equipment, and ground support devices. Additionally, the manufacturer will provide technical support services for the first three years from the entry of the aircraft into service," was the response.
"THE EVACUATION OF OUR PERSONNEL IN BAGHDAD WAS SUCCESSFULLY CARRIED OUT"
The following statements were made by sources from the Ministry:
"Our Turkish Armed Forces continue to contribute to the establishment of peace and the maintenance of stability in a wide geography within the scope of international missions and bilateral relations. Recently, NATO authorities have decided to withdraw the 'NATO Iraq Mission' in light of the developments in our region.
In line with this decision, the evacuation of our Turkish Armed Forces personnel serving in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, has been successfully carried out. Our country has also provided support for the evacuation activities of Allied personnel as part of the withdrawal plan conducted by NATO."
FIRST FINDING REGARDING THE HELICOPTER CRASH IN QATAR: TECHNICAL MALFUNCTION
In response to a question regarding the helicopter that crashed in Qatar, the MSB stated, "The helicopter belonging to the Qatari Armed Forces has crashed due to a technical malfunction according to initial determinations. The exact cause of the crash will be determined as a result of the investigation conducted by Qatari authorities. Our Turkish Armed Forces conduct performance testing, development, and training activities of domestically produced defense industry products in the field together with our engineers and technicians, both domestically and abroad. This is an application that has no equivalent in any country in the world and greatly contributes to the development of our domestic and national defense industry products," was the statement made.
Regarding the planned establishment of a NATO multinational corps headquarters, the MSB stated:
"Our Ministry has been ordered to initiate studies for the establishment of a Corps Headquarters within the framework of the NATO Southeast Regional Plan in 2023, and this intention has been declared to NATO in 2024.
In this context, the 6th Corps Command has been assigned to meet the needs of the headquarters, which is planned to be established under the command of a Turkish general, and necessary appointments have been made to the national core staff.
Efforts to transform the headquarters into a multinational structure are being carried out in coordination with NATO authorities, and since NATO procedures have not yet been completed, the approval process is ongoing. The headquarters does not yet have an approved logo.
The mission of the aforementioned Corps Headquarters is to support deterrence and defense activities in its area of responsibility by ensuring the integration of the forces assigned to it within the framework of Regional Plans.
On the other hand, since the NATO Southeast Regional Plan prepared as part of the threat assessment has been previously approved by Allies, the planned establishment of the aforementioned Multinational Corps Headquarters has no relation to the recent developments in our region."