ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Iraq, Mark Savaya, said in his New Year message that Washington plans to end the presence of militia groups in Iraq in 2026. The statement comes amid growing US pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-aligned armed groups.
Savaya said in his statement that the US is “working to make 2026 the year that marks the end of” 18 things in Iraq, including militias, foreign interference, uncontrolled weapons, and foreign interference.
“Iraq and its flag will remain high and flying proudly, a source of pride for all Iraqis,” he added. “And we are JUST GETTING STARTED.”
A US State Department official told Rudaw on Wednesday that Washington wants Iran-backed groups excluded from Iraq’s next government, as Baghdad moves to form a new administration amid intensified US pressure to curb Iranian influence.
“Members of those Iran-backed militias should have no place in Iraq’s government, not least because they do not work for Iraq or the Iraqi people,” the official said, adding that “they undermine Iraq’s sovereignty, threaten Americans and Iraqis, and pilfer Iraq's resources for Iran.