Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Qubad Talabani extended his "heartfelt condolences" to the families of three security members who were killed in a "law enforcement duty" to arrest opposition leader Lahur Talabany early Friday, adding that "the criminals will face legal punishments."

Talabani named the deceased security personnel as Sarmand Ali, Diyar Sardar, and Ari Sheikh Suad Talabani, adding they died while carrying out a duty to "maintain security."

The deputy prime minister, who is also a senior PUK member, wished the wounded "a speedy recovery."

Sulaimani-based internal security forces (Asayish) said Lahur Talabany was arrested on a murder charge.

"After the Security Investigation Court issued arrest warrants under Article 406 of the Iraqi Penal Code for the accused Lahur Jangi Burhan and several other defendants, the warrant was directed to our forces," said the Asayish. Article 406 pertains to premeditated and willful killing of another person. 

It did not elaborate whom Talabany is accused of killing or trying to kill. 

"We assure all parties that this operation was conducted based on a court decision to execute the arrest warrant issued by the honorable judge, so that no group or deviant party is above the law and security and peace are preserved as always," added the Asayish.

It confirmed that three members of security forces were killed and 19 others were injured in clashes that broke out during the arrest. 

"Currently, the situation in Sulaimani has calmed down and citizens are moving normally in the streets," it said.

Ankara is monitoring armed clashes between Sulaimani security forces and men loyal to Lahur Talabany, said the spokesperson for the Turkish foreign ministry.

"We are closely monitoring the developments in Sulaimani city with regard to Iraq’s stability and peace, as well as the safety of our citizens," Oncu Keceli said on X. 

"Initiatives have been undertaken by our Erbil Consulate General with the relevant local authorities, and necessary measures have been ensured for the protection of our citizens," he added.

 

The Iraqi government called for adherence to the principles of neutrality and transparency after deadly clashes in Sulaimani during the arrest of opposition figure Lahur Talabany.

“Law enforcement must be carried out in a manner that ensures the preservation of human dignity and the protection of rights,” read a statement from Sabah al-Numan, spokesperson for Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

He called for “complete neutrality and full transparency” in all legal procedures.

“The interests of Sulaimani province, the security and safety of its people, and the security of the Region and Iraq in general, remain above all considerations,” he added.

The federal government “will spare no effort in preventing strife, promoting social peace, and consolidating stability,” the statement said.

Commenting on the clashes in Sulaimani, the Kurdistan Region Presidency said all issues should be resolved peacefully, through legal channels.

"Following the unfortunate incident early this morning in Sulaimani, which regrettably resulted in a number of casualties, we emphasize the rule of law and the protection of the city's security and peace, as well as safeguarding the lives and property of citizens. It is necessary that all disputes and conflicts be resolved through law and without violence," read a statement from the presidency. 

It also offered condolences to the families of the victims. 

At least four people were killed in the clashes, including three members of the security forces.

 

Baray Gal called on foreign missions in the Kurdistan Region to speak up against the violent arrest of its leader Lahur Talabany.

"We call on all the representatives of countries that have consulates and representations in the Kurdistan Region as well as the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) not to be silent in the face of these uncivilized and terrorist acts and take legal and frank stances," read the statement. 

The party noted that Talabany holds several official positions, including his parliamentary membership. Lawmakers have parliamentary immunity. 

Baray Gal said that Talabany and others were arrested after five hours of "resistance" against security forces. It said it is holding Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani accountable for the unrest and responsible for the safety of all who were detained.

 

Three members of Sulaimani security forces were killed in overnight clashes to arrest Lahur Talabany. One member of Talabany’s forces was also killed, a security source told Rudaw, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

The Sulaimani-based Kurdish Peshmerga Commando reported the death of one of its members, Diyar Sardar Hakim, and expressed condolences to his family.

PUK-affiliated media reported that Sarmand Ali from Sulaimani’s Asayish (internal security) forces was also killed.

The Sulaimani-based Counter-Terrorism Group (CTG) had earlier confirmed that one of its members, Ari Sheikh Suwad Talabani, was killed.

Salahaddin Bahaaddin, leader of the second largest opposition political party, the Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU), expressed concern about armed clashes between Sulaimani security forces and those loyal to Lahur Talabany. 

"With sadness and regret, last night in Sulaimani we witnessed an unwanted and unfortunate incident," Bahaaddin said in a Facebook post.

"At this time when citizens are waiting for salaries and livelihood stability, and our nation faces numerous challenges, when is it justified to increase security instability and shed the blood of our nation's sons?" he added.

Bahaaddin, whose party has seven seats in the Kurdish parliament, called for "resorting to law and courts to resolve disputes."

 

One member of the Sulaimani-based General Directorate of Counter-Terrorism, also known as CTG Kurdistan, was killed while trying to detain opposition leader Lahur Talabany and his brothers, the force announced.

Identifying the deceased as Ari Sheikh Suad Talabani, CTG Kurdistan said he was killed while "imposing the law and implementing a judge's ruling to arrest a number of people who have acted outside the law."

 

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Sulaimani Governor Haval Abubakir called for calm early Friday morning as Sulaimani security forces clashed with the entourage of Lahur Talabany, head of the People’s Front (Baray Gal) party.

“These confrontations target the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region, therefore it is necessary for all sides to restrain themselves and immediately stop,” Barzani said in a statement issued before Talabany was arrested. “The youth of this country should not be made victims, and any problem or disagreement that exists must be resolved through legal means.”

Barzani said he has been working with all parties “to end these clashes and prevent bloodshed and violence.”

Abubakir also urged restraint, warning that fighting “does not resolve any issue, it only makes problems more complicated and delays solutions.”

He said local authorities had tried to prevent the escalation but that proposals for dialogue and peaceful mechanisms received “minimal support.”

He called on “all sides to cooperate in ending this undesirable situation and any confrontation or clash that threatens public peace, security, and stability.”

 

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - People’s Front (Baray Gal) leader Lahur Talabany and his brothers Polad and Aso Sheikh Jangi were detained in Sulaimani after overnight clashes with security forces, a security source said on Friday.

Security forces surrounded the Lalezar Hotel in western Sulaimani city where Talabany was staying after a court issued an arrest warrant for him on Thursday.

Clashes broke out around 3 am on Friday morning and continued for nearly four hours before Talabany and his brothers were arrested. Polad Sheikh Jangi was injured, the source said.

Heavy gunfire broke out in Sulaimani early Friday morning as security forces sought to arrest Lahur Talabany.

Several other people were also reported wounded and unconfirmed reports suggested fatalities, though no official information has been released.

There were also reports of drones crashing in the area.

Lahur Talabany is also known as Lahur Sheikh Jangi. In 2021, he was ousted as co-chair of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) by his cousins Bafel and Qubad Talabani. The PUK is the ruling party in Sulaimani province.

Talabany went on to form the opposition party Baray Gal, which won two seats in last year’s Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections.