Erbil, Iraq — The United States opened a huge new consular complex on Wednesday in Erbil, the capital of northern Iraq Iraq The semi-autonomous Kurdish region.
This move highlighted Washington’s diplomatic and strategic engagement in the Kurdish region, especially with the United States moving forces that were stationed elsewhere in Iraq as part of a mission against ISIS, under US command. deal With the central government in Baghdad.
US Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas joined Kurdish leaders at the opening of the sprawling complex – planned to be the largest US consulate in the world – built on a 206,000-square-meter (50-acre) site along the Erbil-Shaqlawa highway at a cost of $796 million.
“America’s investment in this new consulate provides a secure platform to advance U.S. interests,” Rigas said. He added: “It demonstrates the value that a sovereign, secure, and prosperous Iraq, in a mutually beneficial partnership with the United States, can provide to its people and to America.”
The opening comes amid ongoing challenges in Iraq, including regional tensions and attacks on energy infrastructure. A Drone strike Last week at the Cormor natural gas field caused widespread power outages.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Rigas appears to blame politically powerful Iraqi militias backed by Iran.
He urged both Baghdad and Erbil to “undermine and dismantle militias allied with Iran that continue to engage in violent and destabilizing activities that only harm Iraqi sovereignty.”
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani described the consulate as “a clear political message regarding the importance of Erbil and the Kurdistan Region.”
He said that the facility confirms the deep partnership between the United States and the Kurdish authorities and will serve as a center for diplomatic, economic, and security cooperation.
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