Türkiye Moves to Establish NATO Multinational Corps HQ, Approval Process Underway

By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk

Türkiye has confirmed plans to establish a NATO-linked multinational corps headquarters under a Turkish general, the Defense Ministry said on March 27, 2026, as the approval process with NATO continues.

The announcement came on the same day that NATO decided to withdraw its mission from Iraq, with Türkiye confirming the evacuation of its personnel from Baghdad and support for allied withdrawals in a separate official statement, a development Bosphorus News reported earlier in NATO Orders Iraq Mission Withdrawal, Türkiye Evacuates Troops From Baghdad

The ministry said work on the headquarters was initiated in 2023 under NATO’s Southeastern Regional Plan and formally declared to the alliance in 2024.

According to the statement, the 6th Corps Command has been assigned to support the formation of the headquarters, with national core staff already appointed as preparations continue.

“The work to transform the headquarters into a multinational structure is being carried out in coordination with NATO authorities, and the approval process is still ongoing as NATO procedures have not yet been completed,” the ministry said.

The planned headquarters is expected to operate under a Turkish general and will be responsible for integrating assigned forces within NATO’s regional planning framework, supporting deterrence and defense activities in its designated area.

The ministry also underlined that the initiative is not linked to recent developments in the region, noting that NATO’s Southeastern Regional Plan, which forms the basis of the project, had already been approved by allies earlier.