Committee formed to compensate residents impacted by clashes during Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s arrest

SULAYMANIYAH — Authorities said Friday a committee has been created to compensate residents whose homes, vehicles, and property were damaged during clashes in Sulaymaniyah between security forces and People’s Front leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi.

The fighting, which lasted about four hours around the Lalazar Hotel, left casualties on both sides and caused damage to nearby houses and cars. Security forces surrounded the hotel late Thursday and stormed it after hours of clashes, detaining Sheikh Jangi along with dozens of civilian and military associates.

Shaho Osman, deputy governor of Sulaymaniyah, told 964media that “under the order of President Bafel Jalal Talabani, a joint team has been formed from both the Sulaymaniyah governorate and officials from [the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan’s] general administration.”

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

Osman said the team will begin compensating residents and emphasized that no civilians were killed. “We are pleased that the damages were only material. The material damage is compensable,” he said. He noted that several vehicles were hit by gunfire and houses were damaged.

“We apologize to the people of Sulaymaniyah,” Osman added, saying, “Law enforcement is above everyone.”