Lahur Sheikh Jangi, his brother arrested after clashes in Sulaymaniyah

Late last night and into the early hours of this morning, heavy fighting broke out near the residence of Lahur Sheikh Jangi in Sulaymaniyah, resulting in deaths and injuries among the forces involved, according to Roj News Agency.

The agency reported that the clashes erupted after Lahur Sheikh Jangi refused to surrender to security forces amid heightened tensions, military reinforcements, and the heavy deployment of security units around the area.

The Deputy Head of the Sulaymaniyah Court announced yesterday that an arrest warrant had been issued against Lahur Sheikh Jangi by the “Asayish Investigation Court” under Article 56 of the Iraqi Penal Code.

As a result, a large security force surrounded the Lalazar Hotel on Sarjnar Street in Sulaymaniyah, where Lahur Sheikh Jangi and his family were staying.

Lahur Sheikh Jangi told the media that he had not received any official judicial notice and insisted that he was at his home, refusing to surrender unless a formal court order was delivered to him.

Later, the security force encircling the Lalazar Hotel demanded his surrender. However, Sheikh Jangi released a video message in front of his residence saying: “These forces have decided to attack. This may be my last message, and I will die fighting.”

At 3:32 a.m., intense clashes with heavy and light weapons broke out between security forces and Sheikh Jangi’s loyalists in the Lalazar area. The fighting lasted nearly four hours and ended with the arrest of Lahur and his brother Polad Sheikh Jangi, according to Roj News Agency.

The site currently remains tense, with heavy deployment of internal security forces and media presence.

 A-H 

ANHA