Clashes in Sulaymaniyah Target Opposition Leader

On the night of August 21-22, clashes broke out in Sulaymaniyah, one of the largest provinces in Iraqi Kurdistan, between security forces and supporters of Lahur Sheikh Jangi, the leader of the opposition People's Front of Kurdistan party. According to local media, the operation began with an attempt to arrest Jangi at the Lalazar Hotel.

Security forces surrounded the building, using loudspeakers to warn citizens to stay away from the danger zone. Soon, explosions were heard in the hotel area, and an intense firefight began. A fire at the politician's residence was also reported.

The Sulaymaniyah court had previously issued an arrest warrant for Jangi, accusing him of disturbing public order. The politician himself described the charges as political and stated that he learned about the warrant from the media.

The authorities of Iraqi Kurdistan have responded to the situation. Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and former President Masoud Barzani issued a statement calling for an immediate end to the violence.

According to media reports, a high level of security force activity remains in the province, and the area of the clashes continues to be blocked off.