Fri Aug 22 15:07:36 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Clashes erupted in Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan, during the arrest of opposition figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi, a member of the influential Talabani family. Three security forces members were killed and 19 wounded. Jangi surrendered, while his brother was injured and arrested. The arrest was based on a warrant for conspiracy to destabilize security. This is the second arrest of an opposition figure in the region in less than two weeks, raising concerns about freedom and stability despite the region’s image. The Prime Minister has called for restraint and resolution through legal channels.

**News Article:**

**Deadly Clashes Erupt in Iraqi Kurdistan During Opposition Figure Arrest**

**Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi Kurdistan – August 22, 2025** – A tense standoff in Sulaimaniyah, the second-largest city in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan region, resulted in deadly clashes earlier today during the arrest of prominent opposition figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi. Three members of the Kurdish security forces were killed and 19 others wounded, according to security officials.

Jangi, a member of the influential Talabani family, one of the region’s two ruling clans, was taken into custody after several hours of fighting. His brother, Bolad, was injured in the leg and also arrested. The arrests follow the detention of New Generation leader Shaswar Abdulwahid on August 12, raising concerns about the political climate in the region.

According to Sulaimaniyah court spokesman Judge Salah Hassan, an arrest warrant was issued for Jangi and others on Thursday, citing conspiracy to destabilize security and stability. Jangi formerly held senior leadership positions in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which controls Sulaimaniyah, before being sidelined in 2021 due to internal tensions.

The incident began before dawn when security forces initiated the arrest operation, facing resistance from armed men protecting Jangi. Heavy gunfire was reported throughout the area.

While Iraqi Kurdistan portrays itself as a stable haven, critics frequently cite corruption, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on press freedom and the right to protest.

Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, from the Kurdistan Democratic Party, has called for restraint from all sides and emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through legal channels. The situation remains delicate, and further developments are expected.

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