US envoy Mark Savaya blames corruption as primary factor behind Iraq's militia resilience

Mark Savaya, the US president's envoy to Iraq, reiterated that corruption, rather than the Iran-backed militias themselves, constitutes the primary obstacle to resolving Iraq's political and security crisis.

Savaya has consistently asserted that Iraq's stability and sovereignty depend on dismantling entrenched corruption, arguing that "corrupt networks", more than any other factor, finance, protect, and empower armed groups.

"To fix Iraq, corruption must be addressed first. Militias are the symptom; corruption is the disease," Savaya wrote on X.

Savaya highlighted his understanding of illicit financial flows in Iraq, noting that corruption involves both senior officials and lower-level networks.

"I know in detail how illicit money is channelled. It does not flow only through senior principals. More importantly, it moves through layers of lower-level actors such as family members, friends, guards, drivers, and intermediaries," he said. "This structure creates insulation and deniability while keeping the system fully operational."

Savaya explained that these networks enable armed factions to bypass oversight and regulatory controls and facilitate the financing and protection of Iranian-backed militias.

Savaya maintains that Iraq must eliminate major sources of corruption, such as fraudulent payrolls, loans, and fictitious assets, for reforms to succeed. He asserts that dismantling the financial infrastructure of corruption is essential.

He stressed that stabilising Iraq and restoring sovereignty must start with dismantling the corruption networks that finance and protect militias.

On 19 January, Savaya reported a "very successful" meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Joe Kent, Director of the National Counterterrorism Centre, to address issues he has consistently raised about Iraq.

"Our discussions included the role of Iranian-backed militias and related networks," Savaya wrote. He also emphasised the need to build on the Iraqi government's recent efforts to secure borders, combat smuggling and corruption, and strengthen state authority.

"Under President Donald J. Trump's leadership, I am fully committed to exposing and pursuing wrongdoing wherever it exists, stabilising Iraq, and ensuring its security in the service of Iraqi sovereignty and the well-being of the Iraqi people," he said, concluding with the slogan: "The Iraqi people will make Iraq great again."

Responses within Iraq

Savaya's statements have drawn attention in Iraq, with some local analysts describing his communication style and frequent use of social media as highly political.

According to Iraqi media, the US envoy, who is of Iraqi origin and was appointed in October, has positioned his campaign as a direct challenge to armed factions and political groups allied with Iran, pledging to reduce their influence.

Harry Istepanian, a senior fellow at the Iraq Energy Institute, argued to The New Arab that recent US actions suggest a broader regional strategy is taking shape.

"It is clear now that this US administration has decided to side with the 'jihadists,' relying mainly on Turkey to advance the new plan," Istepanian opined. "Destabilising Iran and Iraq, along with a peace agreement between Israel and Jolani [Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa], are part of this plan."

Last week, US chargé d'affaires in Baghdad, Joshua Harris, stated that the inclusion of armed groups "loyal to Iran" in Iraq's next government would contradict what he described as a strong US-Iraqi partnership.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani and Kurdish President Masoud Barzani held separate phone conversations with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa on Tuesday to discuss recent developments in Syria amid clashes between the Syrian Arab Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Al-Sharaa highlighted an agreement reached with the SDF, while both Iraqi and Kurdish leaders stressed the importance of dialogue, protecting civilians' rights, and maintaining stability and territorial integrity. The talks also focused on enhancing border security, coordinating efforts against remnants of ISIS, and reopening crossings, as concerns grow over potential escapes of Islamic State members from SDF-controlled prisons.

The escalating rhetoric coincides with Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's aerial inspection of Iraq's border with Syria, from Anbar to Nineveh provinces, on Wednesday.

Al-Sudani also visited the al-Qaim border area, where he chaired a security meeting with senior military and security officials to evaluate troop readiness and border protection strategies. Officials briefed him on challenges facing forces along the frontier and measures taken to address security threats.

The prime minister emphasised the need to maintain high readiness across all military and security units, expressed confidence in the armed forces, and commended their contributions to Iraq's stability.