At least five people were killed and 18 others injured in violent clashes in Sulaymaniyah (Slemani), a major city in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, following the arrest of prominent Kurdish political figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani, officials confirmed Friday.
Overnight Operation to Arrest Lahur Sheikh Jangi in Sulaymaniyah
Security forces launched a large-scale overnight operation targeting Lahur Sheikh Jangi, nephew of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and a powerful figure in Kurdish politics. According to Burhan Sheikh Rauf, a senior official with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the arrest was carried out under Iraq’s counterterrorism law. Authorities accused Lahur Sheikh Jangi of planning operations to destabilize the government and of violating laws prohibiting political parties from maintaining armed wings.
Rauf stated that the operation aimed to dismantle illegal armed structures, claiming:
“He had plans to carry out operations against the government and create chaos.”
However, the sudden raid without prior notice to Lahur has raised significant controversy. Rauf later admitted that Lahur Sheikh Jangi had not been informed of the arrest order, sparking criticism from his supporters.
Clashes Erupt in Slemani, Heavy Weapons Used
The arrest triggered intense clashes in Sulaymaniyah, with supporters of Lahur Sheikh Jangi engaging in armed confrontation with security forces. Reports indicate that heavy weapons, including mortars, Dushka heavy machine guns, drones, and even tanks, were deployed in the operation near the Lalazar Hotel, where Lahur was staying with allies.
Dillsoz Zangana, a member of Lahur’s People’s Front party and a candidate in Iraq’s upcoming parliamentary elections, described the operation as nothing short of a “regional and internal coup d’état”, stating:
“They used heavy weapons to attack him. His forces only responded in self-defense. The raid terrorized the entire neighborhood, with families and children witnessing a night of chaos and fear.
The clashes resulted in three security personnel and two members of the People’s Front being killed, while 18 others were wounded. Civilian homes in the densely populated area sustained significant damage.
Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s Political Background
Lahur Sheikh Jangi is a well-known political and military figure in Slemani (Sulaymaniyah). Once celebrated as a key partner of the US-led coalition in the fight against ISIS, he co-founded the PUK’s Zanyari intelligence agency and served as a prominent leader in counterterrorism operations.
In 2020, he was appointed co-president of the PUK alongside his cousin Bafel Talabani, but internal disputes led to his ouster in 2021. Since then, Lahur has established his own party, the People’s Front, maintaining significant influence in Sulaymaniyah and positioning himself as a strong opposition figure.
Detentions and Political Fallout in Slemani
During the operation, Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s two brothers, sister, wife, and several female members of the People’s Front were also detained. Concerns have been raised about their safety and treatment in custody.
“How can we be sure they are safe and not being tortured right now? They should have been taken directly to the court,” Zangana questioned.
Lahur Sheikh Jangi is expected to be handed over to the court on Sunday, as public institutions remain closed on Fridays and Saturdays in Iraq.
This latest incident follows the August 12 arrest of Shaswar Abdulwahid, leader of the New Generation Movement, another opposition party, deepening fears of a broader crackdown on dissent in Slemani.
Uncertain Future for Slemani
The arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi in Sulaymaniyah has inflamed political tensions in the Kurdistan Region, raising concerns of escalating instability. With clashes claiming lives, opposition figures detained, and armed confrontations in one of Kurdistan’s largest cities, Sulaymaniyah now stands at a political crossroads, facing one of its most turbulent moments in recent history.
