Trump envoy says ‘big changes’ expected in Iraq
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Mark Savaya, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Iraq, told Rudaw on Saturday that “big changes” are expected in Iraq without elaborating.
“There are big changes coming in Iraq... everyone will see actions instead of words,” he said.
Savaya, a Chaldean entrepreneur of Iraqi descent, also said in a post on X earlier on Saturday that “the world views Iraq as a country capable of playing a larger and more influential role in the region, provided that the issue of weapons outside state control is fully resolved and the prestige of official institutions is protected.”
He added that Iraq “stands at a critical crossroads,” reiterating Washington's position that all weapons should be kept “out of politics.”
Iraq held its latest parliamentary elections on November 11, and negotiations over the formation of a new cabinet have already begun. Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is seeking a second term, but he faces strong rivals, including former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
One of the unresolved issues in Iraq is the presence of armed militia groups that do not answer to the prime minister, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have also blamed some of these militia groups for targeting the Kurdistan Region’s energy infrastructure with explosive-laden drones and rockets. The latest attack on Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province on Wednesday, which is the main source of energy for the Region’s electricity, has caused a partial blackout. The KRG has said that the power supply is expected to return to normal on Sunday.
“There are big changes coming in Iraq... everyone will see actions instead of words,” he said.
Savaya, a Chaldean entrepreneur of Iraqi descent, also said in a post on X earlier on Saturday that “the world views Iraq as a country capable of playing a larger and more influential role in the region, provided that the issue of weapons outside state control is fully resolved and the prestige of official institutions is protected.”
He added that Iraq “stands at a critical crossroads,” reiterating Washington's position that all weapons should be kept “out of politics.”
Iraq held its latest parliamentary elections on November 11, and negotiations over the formation of a new cabinet have already begun. Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani is seeking a second term, but he faces strong rivals, including former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
One of the unresolved issues in Iraq is the presence of armed militia groups that do not answer to the prime minister, who also serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have also blamed some of these militia groups for targeting the Kurdistan Region’s energy infrastructure with explosive-laden drones and rockets. The latest attack on Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province on Wednesday, which is the main source of energy for the Region’s electricity, has caused a partial blackout. The KRG has said that the power supply is expected to return to normal on Sunday.
Malik Mohammed contributed to this article from Erbil, Kurdistan Region.