Kurdish Political Figure Arrested in Iraq, Sparking Clashes that Leave 5 Dead
Clashes during arrests of opposition figures in Iraqi Kurdistan left 3 security personnel dead and 19 wounded, amid political tensions ahead of November elections, officials said.
- Shortly before dawn, clashes erupted in Sulaimaniyah as security forces launched an arrest operation, killing three members and wounding 19; Lahur Sheikh Jangi surrendered after barricading in a luxury hotel.
- The operation followed an arrest warrant issued on Thursday for Jangi and others for conspiracy, marking the second detention after New Generation leader Shaswar Abdulwahid was held on 12 August ahead of Iraq federal elections in November.
- Bolad, brother of Lahur Sheikh Jangi, was wounded and detained after hours of fighting, and the People's Front condemned the arrest as illegal, accusing forces of using `drones, tanks and heavy artillery`.
- Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Friday urged `all sides to show restraint`, while the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq expressed `concern over the ongoing developments in Sulaymaniyah governorate` and the U.S. mission to Iraq called for restraint.
- Analyst Adel Bakawan said the arrests were intended to `neutralise its two most important adversaries`, while activists denounce corruption and arbitrary arrests ahead of Iraq federal elections in November.
15 Articles
15 Articles

Kurdish political figure arrested in Iraq, sparking clashes that leave 5 dead
At least five people have been killed and 18 others wounded in Sulaymaniyah, in northern Iraq, following the arrest of a prominent Kurdish political figure.
Iraqi Kurdish forces arrest opposition leader after fatal clashes
Security forces in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region arrested prominent opposition figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani on Friday following hours of heavy clashes that left at least three security personnel dead and 19 wounded, according to local authorities.
He is the second opponent arrested in two weeks in Iraqi Kurdistan. During the night of Thursday, August 21, Lahur Talabani was besieged and captured with his troops by the government security forces. Report: three dead and several wounded. Lahur Talabani is accused of "criminal conspiracy", but he is also the dissident cousin of the region's strong man, Bafel Talabani. This arrest is a demonstration of power force, three months before the feder…

Deadly clashes as Iraqi Kurdistan opposition figure arrested
BAGHDAD: Three members of the security forces in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region were killed and 19 wounded during the arrest of an opposition figure on Friday, security officials said. Lahur Sheikh Jangi surrendered after barricading himself in a luxury hotel with his guards, said one official who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject. His brother Bolad
This article was first published on Cedarnews.net. For more exclusive news and reports, visit our website. Clashes erupted in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq early Friday morning between Kurdish security forces and supporters of the leader of the Popular Front Party, Lahur Sheikh Jangi, following an arrest warrant issued against him on charges of “conspiring to destabilize the country.” The clashes resulted in deaths and…
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