Lahur Sheikh Jangi arrested in Sulaymaniyah after hours of heavy clashes

SULAYMANIYAH — Heavy fighting erupted overnight in Sulaymaniyah as security forces surrounded the hotel residence of opposition leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi, leading to hours of clashes, fires, and explosions before his arrest early Friday morning.

Here is how the night unfolded:

Thursday, 6 p.m.
Unusual movements were reported at Sulaymaniyah’s entry points, where convoys of security vehicles began appearing. The heightened activity lasted about four hours and spread into several neighborhoods without any official explanation.

10 p.m.
It became clear that the mobilization was part of an operation to arrest Lahur Sheikh Jangi, former co-chair of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and now head of the opposition People’s Front. Jangi said he had not received formal notification of an arrest warrant. Large numbers of security personnel surrounded the Lalezar Hotel, where Jangi and several associates were staying.

10:50 p.m.
A 964media correspondent reported that reinforcements had arrived at the hotel and security forces issued a warning for Jangi and his companions to surrender.

Midnight
Judge Salah Hassan, spokesperson for the Sulaymaniyah court, confirmed to 964media by phone that an arrest warrant had been issued under Article 56 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which covers criminal conspiracy. He said the warrant applied to Jangi and several others.

1 a.m.
Additional reinforcements reached the hotel area. Shortly after, power was cut to the Lalezar Hotel and to Jangi’s residence, signaling escalation.

2:30 a.m.
Armored vehicles were deployed around the hotel. Witnesses counted four tanks stationed nearby.

3 a.m.

Security forces issued a final ultimatum. Jangi responded in a video posted to social media: “This may be my last message, I will not surrender, and I will die standing.”

Media outlets close to him reported that his family remained inside the hotel and had not been evacuated. Security forces used loudspeakers to call on the men inside to surrender.

3:32 a.m.
Heavy gunfire and explosions broke out around the Lalezar Hotel. The clashes lasted about an hour, with fires reported in the area.

4 a.m.
Jangi posted a second video saying: “They are firing at us with tanks.” At the same time, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani released a statement calling for an immediate halt to the fighting.

Dawn
Explosions and gunfire continued. Witnesses told 964media that at least one person had been killed and five security members wounded. Residents across the city reported hearing blasts and expressed fear over the situation.

4:50 a.m.
The governor of Sulaymaniyah called for an end to the clashes.

5:30 a.m.
A source inside the Lalezar told 964media: “There are many wounded, and the fire has spread to nearby civilian homes. Firefighters and ambulances are being prevented from reaching the area by surrounding forces.”

5:40 a.m.
Reports emerged of an explosion near the home of PUK leader Bafel Talabani in the Dabbashan area, followed by a fire.

6 a.m.
Loud explosions were again reported near Talabani’s residence. Witnesses said they were caused by a drone strike.

8:30 a.m.
Security forces detained Lahur Sheikh Jangi and his brothers and removed them from the building.

This is a developing story