According to Reuters, US President Donald Trump abruptly fired Mark Sawaya, who had only been appointed as special envoy to Iraq in October.
This decision comes as diplomatic tensions between Washington and Baghdad increase and the United States tries to weaken Iran’s position in Iraqi politics.
A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that Sawaya’s “mismanagement” in key positions, including his failure to prevent former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki from being nominated for the post of prime minister, was a major factor in the dismissal. Trump had previously publicly warned Iraq against such a move.
Sawaya’s dismissal just a few months after his appointment indicates the White House’s strong dissatisfaction with diplomatic performance in Iraq and the possibility of a change in America’s approach to this sensitive issue.
