US envoy Tom Barrack to visit Baghdad, Erbil for key talks
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Tom Barrack, the US presidential envoy to Syria and Iraq and ambassador to Turkey, is expected to visit Iraq next week for separate meetings in Baghdad and Erbil, according to officials familiar with the arrangements.
The visit will mark Barrack’s first trip to Baghdad since US President Donald Trump expanded his diplomatic portfolio to include Iraq.
According to officials cited by Al-Monitor, Barrack is scheduled to hold meetings in Baghdad on Monday with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and other senior government officials.
During the meetings, discussions are expected to cover a range of bilateral and regional issues, including Washington’s position regarding Iran-backed armed groups operating in Iraq.
On Tuesday, Barrack is due to travel to Erbil, where he will meet Massoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), as well as Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.
The US envoy is also expected to hold talks with Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), a coalition partner and longstanding political rival of the KDP.
Officials familiar with the visit said Barrack is additionally expected to meet Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), in Erbil.
The anticipated meeting comes as the SDF continues to play a key role in maintaining security and combating remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS) in northeast Syria, while engaging in ongoing discussions concerning the future of the region.
Barrack’s visit takes place amid broader regional developments, including continued contacts between Washington and Tehran over several contentious issues, among them Iran’s nuclear program and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
Neither US nor Iraqi officials have publicly announced details of the meetings.