Clashes in Sulaimani Leave 3 Dead, 15 Wounded as Tensions Ease
Several of Sheikh Jangi’s fighters have surrendered, while others have been detained. Rebwar Hamid Haji Ghali, the commander of the force, was also arrested.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Three members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) forces were killed and 15 others wounded in clashes with forces loyal to Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani, Kurdistan24 correspondent Aram Bakhtiar reported on Friday.
“The situation in Sulaimani has calmed down; only forces remain near the Lalazar Hotel and its surroundings. PUK forces are digging and inspecting the area due to a fire caused by the fighting, which spread to Lahur Sheikh Jangi,” Bakhtiar said, noting that smoke was still visible over the city.
PUK forces have cordoned off the area, preventing civilians from approaching the Lalazar Hotel. PUK leader Bafel Talabani visited the site but did not allow media coverage.
According to Bakhtiar, several of Sheikh Jangi’s fighters have surrendered, while others have been detained. Rebwar Hamid Haji Ghali, the commander of the force, was also arrested.
The clashes erupted on Thursday and culminated in the arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi on Friday.
In response to the violence, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani called for calm and urged all sides to exercise restraint. He warned that the unrest in Sulaimani threatened the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved through legal means.
Read More: PM Barzani Calls for Restraint as Tensions Escalate in Sulaimani
Lahur Sheikh Jangi previously served as co-president of the PUK alongside his cousin Bafel Talabani. However, internal power struggles within the party escalated in July 2021, when Bafel ordered the closure of a media outlet linked to Lahur and dismissed several key commanders in both the counter-terrorism and intelligence agencies who were seen as his allies. Shortly after, Bafel declared himself the sole leader of the PUK.
In November of the same year, Lahur was formally expelled from the party, along with several of his supporters, thereby consolidating Bafel’s control over both the party and its financial assets.
Since then, Lahur Sheikh Jangi has pursued his own political path, founding the People’s Front, a new party officially licensed by the Kurdistan Region’s Interior Ministry on Jan. 17, 2024. The movement has attracted several former PUK members loyal to Lahur’s faction.
Updated at 10:59 AM
