Arrest warrant reportedly issued for People’s Front leader in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH — A heavy security presence was reported across Sulaymaniyah on Thursday evening, with convoys of security vehicles moving through several neighborhoods and manning checkpoints at city entry points, causing traffic congestion and delays.

Witnesses said security forces concentrated around Lalazar Hotel, the residence of opposition People’s Front leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi. Roads in the area were closed.

Sources said an arrest warrant has been issued for Sheikh Jangi, who is the cousin of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani. Sheikh Jangi previously served as co-leader of the PUK until his removal by Talabani.

The PUK is the ruling party in Sulaymaniyah.

The People’s Front, led by Lahur Sheikh Jangi, won two seats in the 2024 Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections.

Zoom News, a media outlet affiliated with Lahur Sheikh Jangi, quoted a source from his office as saying: “The PUK president wants to use court to create a scenario similar to past ones, in order to convict Lahur Sheikh Jangi.”

Reports also circulated that the warrants may extend to several of Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s associates and other former PUK officials, though there has been no official confirmation as of publication.

Earlier this month, Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the biggest opposition movement in the Kurdistan Region, was also arrested in Sulaymaniyah.

This is a developing story.