KRG Presidency says it was not informed of operation that led to Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s arrest

SULAYMANIYAH — The Kurdistan Regional Government Presidency said it was not aware of the deadly clashes in Sulaymaniyah that led to the arrest of People’s Front leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi until after they escalated, calling for law to serve as an alternative to party decisions and violence.

Security forces surrounded the Lalazar Hotel in Sulaymaniyah late Thursday before storming the building after several hours of clashes. Lahur Sheikh Jangi, his brother Polat, who was wounded during the raid, and scores of civilian and military associates were detained.

In a statement, the presidency said, “The attack last night on Lalazar was carried out by Patriotic Union of Kurdistan forces and was an issue between PUK and People’s Front, and the KRG Presidency was not aware of it until the final moments of surrounding and attack.”

The statement noted that despite the prime minister’s efforts to prevent fighting, violence eventually broke out, resulting in deaths and injuries.

The office added, “We are very concerned and saddened by the incident, and now, law must replace party decisions and violence so that further fighting and unrest do not put the stability of Kurdistan Region at risk.”

Lahur Sheikh Jangi is a cousin of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani, was co-leader of the PUK until his removal by Talabani in 2022.

The People’s Front secured two seats in the 2024 Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections.