US Opens Largest Consulate in Erbil, Shift in Troop Presence

The United States has officially opened a new consulate in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region. This expansive diplomatic compound, covering 206,000 square meters, is now the largest US consulate in the world. The inauguration highlights the US’s strategic pivot towards the Kurdish region as it reduces its military presence in Baghdad and other areas of Iraq.

Construction of the new consulate began in 2018 with an estimated cost of $800 million, according to a report from the US government in 2019. As US forces transition to a mutual defense partnership with Baghdad, a significant portion of remaining troops in Iraq is expected to relocate to Erbil. Earlier this year, the US military declared an end to its operations against the Islamic State (IS) within Iraq.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has stated that he aims to disarm militias backed by Iran only after US troops leave the country. In the lead-up to the Iraqi elections in November 2024, al-Sudani’s political bloc secured the most seats but faces uncertainty as negotiations continue among various political factions.

“There is no ISIS. Security and stability? Thank God it’s there… so give me the excuse for the presence of 86 states,” he told Reuters, referencing the coalition against IS formed in 2014 when the group gained significant territory in Iraq.

Although the new consulate will not play a military role, it aims to strengthen diplomatic ties and serve American citizens in regions lacking direct access to the embassy in Baghdad. The consulate will promote cultural and economic interests and act as a base for foreign diplomats.

The Kurdistan region, which gained semi-autonomy in 2005, operates with its own government and security forces, such as the Peshmerga. At the opening ceremony, Michael Rigas, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, emphasized the consulate’s significance as a symbol of America’s long-term partnership with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

“The existence of this diplomatic centre here is a clear political message regarding the importance of Erbil and the Kurdistan Region,” said Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region. He also noted that Washington views the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as a vital entry point for American businesses looking to access Iraq’s markets.

Many US companies have substantial investments in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan region. Notably, oil giant ExxonMobil has recently resumed operations in Iraq after a two-year hiatus. The US has also been lobbying for the reopening of a crucial pipeline that connects Iraqi oil fields to Turkey’s Ceyhan port, which had been closed in 2023 due to disputes over oil revenue sharing between Erbil and Baghdad.

Iraq is a major player in the global oil market, being the second-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Although the pipeline reopened earlier this year, its future remains uncertain amidst ongoing negotiations involving Erbil, Ankara, and Baghdad. Recent hostilities, such as a drone attack attributed to Iraqi militias linked to Iran targeting oil fields in the Kurdistan region, have raised concerns about security.

In July, a rocket attack on the Khor Mor gas field led to production halts and power outages, intensifying calls from Erbil for enhanced security cooperation with the US. The Kurdistan government has sought to establish stronger military ties, including the acquisition of air defense systems, despite opposition from Baghdad and Iran.

As the US solidifies its presence in Erbil, the implications for regional stability and diplomatic relations remain to be seen, particularly in light of the historical context and ongoing negotiations surrounding military presence and local governance.