US Urges Restraint in Sulaimani as International Concern Mounts Over Clashes

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The United States Diplomatic Mission in Iraq has publicly weighed in on the recent violent clashes in Sulaimani, issuing a direct call for all parties to exercise restraint and opposing any violence that threatens public safety. The American statement adds a powerful international voice to a growing chorus of concern over a major security operation that has shaken the city, drawn condemnation from a human rights body, and prompted a similar expression of unease from neighboring Türkiye.

In a concise but significant message posted on the social media network X, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad made its position clear. "The U.S. Mission to Iraq is closely monitoring the situation in Sulaimani. We oppose any violence that threatens public safety and stability and urge all parties to show restraint," the statement read. The direct intervention from the U.S. underscores the gravity of the events that transpired and their potential impact on the wider stability of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The U.S. Mission to Iraq is closely monitoring the situation in Sulaymaniyah.  We oppose any violence that threatens public safety and stability and urge all parties to show restraint.

— U.S. Embassy Baghdad (@USEmbBaghdad) August 22, 2025

The American call for calm joins that of Türkiye, whose Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Friday that it was also following the developments with significant concern. "We are closely and carefully monitoring the developments in the city of Sulaimani, which are of great importance for the stability and peace of Iraq, as well as for the safety of our citizens," the Turkish ministry stated.

Ankara confirmed that its Consulate General in Erbil was actively contacting local authorities to ensure the protection of Turkish nationals in the area.

These international reactions echo the immediate calls for de-escalation from within the Kurdistan Regional Government itself. Shortly after the clashes erupted, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated that "these tensions and clashes occurring in Sulaimani target the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region." The Prime Minister deemed it necessary for "all sides to exercise restraint, for the clashes to be stopped immediately, and for the youth of this country not to be made victims," emphasizing that any existing dispute must be resolved through legal channels.

The diplomatic and political alarm was triggered by a turbulent night of fighting that culminated on Friday morning with forces from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) seizing control of the Lalezar Hotel—the main headquarters of Lahur Sheikh Jangi—and arresting him and his brother, Polad. The operation concluded after armed men affiliated with him surrendered, ending hours of heavy gunfire that had transformed parts of Sulaimani, particularly the Sarchnar neighborhood, into a conflict zone.

The operation, while violent, was officially predicated on a judicial order. Hours before the raid, judicial and police authorities confirmed an arrest warrant had been issued for Lahur Sheikh Jangi and "several other suspects" under Article 56 of the amended Iraqi Penal Code, which pertains to criminal agreements and acts that harm public security. Following this, a large PUK force, equipped with tanks and armored vehicles, deployed after midnight and advanced on the hotel. The tense standoff erupted into open conflict shortly after dawn, with reports of heavy weapons and rockets being used in the attack. The confrontation widened in scope when the headquarters of the PUK's Force 70 Command was reportedly attacked by a bomb-laden drone.

However, the execution of the warrant has drawn a sharp and detailed condemnation from the Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region. The rights body characterized the use of counter-terrorism forces and heavy weaponry as an inappropriate "military display" that sowed fear among the public and would have a "bad reflection on the reputation of the region." The commission's statement lamented that "a fierce confrontation and a four-hour battle took place," resulting in deaths and injuries and creating "great unrest in the city of Sulaimani."

While fully supporting the implementation of court decisions, the commission unequivocally rejected the manner in which the arrests were conducted. It pointed out a critical procedural flaw, stating, "the implementing force for the arrest warrant is the police, not counter-terrorism forces and other forces." The statement deplored the use of "tanks, Doshkas, and heavy weapons" in the operation. Furthermore, the human rights body raised serious concerns about post-arrest procedures, noting that according to legal protocol, accused individuals must be taken to official detention and transfer centers, "not to another place or party headquarters."

The commission also expressed profound concern over the public portrayal of the arrested individuals after videos and photos were broadcast by media outlets showing them handcuffed and referring to them as "captives." The commission underscored a fundamental legal principle: "the accused is innocent until the crime is decided and proven against them by the court, and it is not permitted, for the sake of human dignity, for such a situation to be displayed."

The violent confrontation is the latest and most dramatic chapter in a protracted internal power struggle within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Lahur Sheikh Jangi, a former co-president of the party, was formally expelled in November 2021 after his cousin, Bafel Talabani, consolidated his control. Since then, Lahur has founded a new political party, the People’s Front. The violent nature of his arrest has now placed the methods of the security forces under intense scrutiny, raising significant legal and human rights questions while drawing the concerned attention of key international partners.