Iraqi Faction Disarmament, Erbil-Baghdad Ties, and KRG Cabinet Formation Anchor Tom Barrack’s Iraq Visit
Tom Barrack, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq, arrived in Baghdad for high-level talks focused primarily on the disarmament of armed factions. As part of his diplomatic mission, Barrack is also scheduled to visit the Kurdistan Region to help resolve the current political deadlock regarding the establishment of a new government.
In his first visit as Special Presidential Envoy on Monday, Barrack met with Faiq Zidan, President of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council.
Per the official statement, Barrack commended the Iraqi judiciary's pivotal role "in fulfilling constitutional obligations."
He also emphasized its critical contribution to establishing the country's legislative and executive authorities.
U.S. Envoy Prioritizes PMF Disarmament
Channel8 has learned that one of the highest priority dossiers for Trump's envoy with Iraqi officials is the disarmament of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) factions.
According to Channel8 sources, the disarmament of Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) factions tops the agenda for the visiting U.S. envoy.
This file remains a critical priority for the U.S. administration as Washington pushes to secure Iraq's independent security apparatus and isolate it from Iranian influence.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, whom the United States endorsed for the role, has designated placing all weapons under state authority as the "first pillar" of his government's sovereignty program.
Recently, in a significant move toward state centralization, Saraya al-Salam integrated approximately 15,000 fighters into official state forces, while Kataib al-Imam Ali and Asaib Ahl al-Haq formally submitted their full military inventories to the Joint Operations Command.
Iraqi PM's July Washington Visit, Economic and Energy Ties
Barrack’s itinerary also includes finalizing preparations for al-Zaidi’s official visit to Washington in late July, a diplomatic mission aimed at further strengthening bilateral ties between the two nations.
Furthermore, the U.S. envoy held discussions with Baghdad officials regarding economic and energy partnerships. Washington aims to revitalize bilateral economic diplomacy by launching new investment projects and incentivizing American corporations to enter the Iraqi market.
Erbil-Baghdad Issues and KRG Cabinet Formation
As Barrack prepares to travel to the Kurdistan Region, one of the agendas on the table will be mediating the long-standing issues between Erbil and Baghdad, specifically those relating to oil, revenue, customs, and salaries.
The diplomatic push underscores Washington's commitment to maintaining Iraq's internal stability and ensuring that domestic political friction does not stall the country's development.
In the Kurdistan Region, Barrack is scheduled to meet with senior government and party officials.
Channel8 understands that a core objective of his discussions with Kurdish parties will be breaking the current political impasse and accelerating the formation of the tenth Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) cabinet, which has not been established for more than 19 months.