US Envoy Savaya dismisses replacement rumors

2026-02-01 - 18:16

Shafaq News– Washington US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy to Iraq, Mark Savaya, faced renewed scrutiny on Sunday, hours after rumors suggested he had been removed from his post. In several posts on X, Savaya revealed that he was recently approached by Amtar Al‐Miyahi, reportedly the wife of Hassan Al‐Rashed, a senior member of the Badr Organization, which is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Iranian-backed armed group. Noting that he rejected the approach, he reaffirmed his “independence from political and militia pressures.” He further indicated plans to expose alleged misconduct within the family of former Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki. Savaya described Al-Maliki’s son, Ahmed, as “one of the biggest corrupt figures in Iraq,” pointing that evidence of his activities would soon be made public. The remarks come amid reports that President Trump had considered removing him from the envoy role, citing his “mishandling” of sensitive issues, including the nomination of Al-Maliki as Iraq’s next premier. Sources familiar with the matter confirmed to Reuters that Tom Barrack, the current US Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy to Syria, is slated to take over Savaya’s role, although US authorities have not issued an official statement. Savaya dismissed the rumors, affirming he remains fully engaged and that the mission in Iraq —“confronting militias and corruption”— will continue. Since his appointment in October 2025, Savaya has maintained near-daily public commentary on sovereignty, political power, and the evolving landscape following Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections. He has consistently urged the full dismantling of all armed factions, insisting that disarmament be irreversible, implemented under a clear national framework, and exclude armed groups from government participation. Read more: Read more: US Envoy’s tough message collides with Iraq’s new political reality