Fatah Alliance Demands Federal Probe into 'Dangerous' Sulaimani Violence
Iraq's Fatah Alliance demands a federal probe into the deadly Sulaimani clashes, calling the use of heavy weapons a "dangerous development." The call follows a PUK operation that led to the arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi and drew widespread condemnation.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A leader within Iraq's Fatah Alliance has called for the Iraqi federal government to investigate the recent deadly events in Sulaimani, labeling the use of heavy weapons inside the city a "dangerous development" that warrants a serious inquiry.
Uday Abdul Hadi, a leader in the Fatah Alliance, which is led by Hadi al-Amiri, asserted that the federal government in Baghdad must intervene. "The Iraqi government must investigate the events in Sulaimani, taking into account the nature and cause of the clashes, as well as the death and injury of 20 other people that resulted from the incident," Abdul Hadi stated.
He emphasized the need for a thorough examination to uncover the underlying reasons for the violence, calling on the government to conduct a serious investigation into the "hidden motives behind these tensions" and to take measures "to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents."
He noted that while "Sulaimani has been stable in recent years," the recent events were alarming. "The use of heavy weapons inside the city is a dangerous development and a cause for pause," he added.
The demand for a federal investigation follows a large-scale security operation on Thursday night and into Friday morning in Sulaimani’s Lalazar area.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister's Office identified the incident as deadly clashes "carried out by the forces of the PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan)" against the People's Front party, led by former PUK co-leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi.
In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office expressed deep concern and sadness, confirming it was unaware of the operation "until the final moments of the siege and attack." It noted that despite the Prime Minister’s "significant efforts to prevent the conflict and confrontation from occurring," the attack proceeded. "Now, the law must replace partisan decisions and violence, and conflict and unrest must no longer endanger the stability of the Kurdistan Region," the official communication declared.
The confrontation centered on the Lalezar Hotel, the headquarters of Sheikh Jangi, and culminated in the arrest of both him and his brother, Polad, after several hours of heavy fighting. According to Dr. Hirsh Saeed, Deputy Director General of Health in Sulaimani, the clashes resulted in three deaths and 19 injuries, all among the PUK forces.
The operation was based on a judicial order, with the Sulaimani Court confirming an arrest warrant was issued for Lahur Sheikh Jangi and others under Article 56 of the amended Iraqi Penal Code concerning criminal agreements. A court spokesperson, Salah Hassan, told Kurdistan24 that due to the casualties, the investigation will now also proceed under Article 406, which relates to murder.
The operation, which reportedly involved tanks and armored vehicles, has drawn significant criticism. The Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region condemned the use of counter-terrorism forces and heavy weaponry as an inappropriate "military display" that sowed fear.
International bodies, including the United States Mission to Iraq and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), also voiced concern and urged restraint. The events mark a major escalation in the long-running power struggle within the PUK, which saw Lahur Sheikh Jangi expelled from the party in 2021 after his cousin, Bafel Talabani, consolidated control.
