Zoom News suspends programming after Sulaymaniyah clashes as director says staff evacuated

SULAYMANIYAH — Zoom News, the television channel affiliated with opposition leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi, suspended all programming Friday and told its staff not to return to work, its management said.

Sheikh Jangi, head of the People’s Front and cousin of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani, was co-leader of the PUK until his removal by Talabani in 2022.

“Several hours before the security forces came to the channel building, they evacuated it,” Hemin Mahmoud, director of Zoom News, told 964media. “All staff members were cleared from the building. None of the employees have been arrested. Only one reporter, Muhammad Dilshad, was detained last night and is still in the custody of the security forces.”

Security forces surrounded the Lalezar Hotel late Thursday, where Sheikh Jangi was staying, and fought with his supporters in heavy clashes that lasted through the night. Explosions and fires were reported before his arrest early Friday.

Rahman Gharib, head of the Metro Center for Journalists’ Rights and Advocacy, told 964media: “Zoom has been shut down. I think this should have been out of the conflict between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and Lahur [Sheikh Jangi]. Secondly, they are lucky that tanks have not been used against them, but [security forces] have taken control of the channel, and its staff are at home.”