US special envoy for Iraq Mark Savaya no longer in the post
Mark Savaya, named by U.S. President Donald Trump as special envoy for Iraq in October, is no longer in that role, sources familiar with the move said.
The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Washington's push to curb Iranian influence in Iraqi politics.
It was not immediately clear what prompted Savaya's departure or whether a replacement would be appointed.
U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who traveled to Erbil earlier this week to meet with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, is believed to be taking over the State Department's Iraq portfolio, according to the source and a senior Iraqi official.
A spokesperson for Barrack declined to comment.
The State Department referred queries to the White House, which declined to comment on Savaya's status or any replacement.
Reuters
Mark Savaya, named by U.S. President Donald Trump as special envoy for Iraq in October, is no longer in that role, sources familiar with the move said.
The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Washington's push to curb Iranian influence in Iraqi politics.
It was not immediately clear what prompted Savaya's departure or whether a replacement would be appointed.
U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who traveled to Erbil earlier this week to meet with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, is believed to be taking over the State Department's Iraq portfolio, according to the source and a senior Iraqi official.
A spokesperson for Barrack declined to comment.
The State Department referred queries to the White House, which declined to comment on Savaya's status or any replacement.
Reuters
Mark Savaya, named by U.S. President Donald Trump as special envoy for Iraq in October, is no longer in that role, sources familiar with the move said.
The move comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Baghdad over Washington's push to curb Iranian influence in Iraqi politics.
It was not immediately clear what prompted Savaya's departure or whether a replacement would be appointed.
U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, who traveled to Erbil earlier this week to meet with Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, is believed to be taking over the State Department's Iraq portfolio, according to the source and a senior Iraqi official.
A spokesperson for Barrack declined to comment.
The State Department referred queries to the White House, which declined to comment on Savaya's status or any replacement.
Reuters
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US special envoy for Iraq Mark Savaya no longer in the post
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