Kurdistan's Public Prosecutor Demands Adherence to Law After Deadly Sulaimani Clashes
Kurdistan's Public Prosecutor has ordered an investigation into deadly Sulaimani clashes, demanding executive authorities adhere to the law, following a PUK military operation that has drawn widespread condemnation.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — The Presidency of the Public Prosecutor in the Kurdistan Region has officially intervened in the aftermath of the deadly clashes in Sulaimani, assigning the local prosecutor’s office to investigate the violent events of August 21-22 and issuing a stern reminder that the executive authority must adhere strictly to legal and constitutional principles when carrying out its duties.
The move represents a significant assertion of judicial oversight following a pre-dawn military operation that has drawn widespread condemnation and exposed deep political fault lines.
In a formal statement released on Monday, the Presidency of the Public Prosecutor in the Kurdistan Region addressed the violent confrontation that took place at the Lalezar Hotel, emphasizing that a core objective of the law is to protect the rights, freedoms, and security of all citizens.
"Everyone must abide by the law, and no one should be above the law," the statement read. Citing its legal duty to monitor legality, protect the rule of law, and ensure the proper implementation of judicial decisions, the presidency issued a direct and forceful message to the executive branch.
It stressed that when executing any court order, the executive authority "must, with the utmost diligence, adhere to legal and constitutional principles in protecting the lives and dignity of citizens, protecting public and private property, and the rights of the accused themselves."
The statement further clarified that legal procedures for executing court orders "should not lead to chaos, unrest, and damage to public and private property," reaffirming that the rights to life, dignity, and freedom are of paramount importance.
Concluding its directives, the presidency announced, "We assign the Sulaimani Public Prosecutor's Office to follow up on this incident of the night of 21/22/8/2025 and to protect the rights of everyone within the framework of the law and the constitution."
It also called on all media outlets and social media users to handle the incident responsibly and avoid further escalation.
The Public Prosecutor's intervention comes in direct response to a violent and chaotic military operation that transformed the Sarchnar neighborhood of Sulaimani into a conflict zone.
The saga began after midnight on Thursday, August 21, when a massive contingent of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) forces, equipped with tanks and armored vehicles, mobilized to execute an arrest warrant for former PUK co-leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi and his associates. The operation targeted the Lalezar Hotel, which served as the headquarters for Sheikh Jangi’s newly formed People’s Front party.
A tense standoff erupted into a fierce, four-hour firefight shortly after dawn, with reports indicating the use of heavy weapons, including Doshkas and rockets. The battle concluded with the surrender and arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi and his brother Polad, but it left a trail of bloodshed and profound political turmoil.
While official figures confirmed three members of the PUK forces were killed and 19 others wounded, a source speaking to Kurdistan24 claimed the true toll was far higher, alleging that "at least 30 to 40 people from the ranks of the 'Dupshk' (Scorpion) force, which is affiliated with Lahur Sheikh Jangi, were victims."
This unconfirmed but significant claim has cast a dark shadow over the official narrative. The unilateral nature of the operation also exposed a critical disconnect with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
The Prime Minister’s Office issued a pointed statement confirming the KRG was "unaware of the operation until the final moments" and declared, "Now, the law must replace partisan decisions and violence." The methods employed drew sharp condemnation from the Independent Human Rights Commission in the Kurdistan Region, which decried the "inappropriate military display" and noted the critical procedural flaw of using counter-terrorism forces instead of police to serve an arrest warrant.
The fallout from the operation has continued to escalate. In the days following the arrests, PUK forces moved to seize assets affiliated with the Sheikh Jangi faction, including the headquarters of Zoom TV and the Newroz Football Club.
The conflict took a more personal turn when Aras Sheikh Jangi, another brother, reported exclusively to Kurdistan24 that a Commando force had stormed his home in the village of Kalkan, broken down the door, and had been "loading and looting the belongings inside." This alleged act of retribution demonstrates that the conflict did not end with the initial arrests and has spiraled into a wider campaign.
The violence has rattled the entire political establishment of the Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) issued a statement expressing deep concern over the clashes, describing them as a source of anxiety for the entire region.
The KDP’s Politburo called for calm and dialogue, emphasizing, “Kurdistan is a constitutional entity, the outcome of years of struggle and sacrifice by its people, built on lawful institutions. We emphasize respect for the sovereignty of law and the protection of stability in our beloved Sulaimani.”
This call for restraint from the KRG's largest party highlights the broader fears that the internal PUK power struggle, which began in July 2021 and culminated in this violent confrontation, could endanger the stability of the entire region.
The Public Prosecutor’s decisive entry into the affair now signals an attempt by the judiciary to rein in partisan military actions and reassert the supremacy of the law over the force of arms.
