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Security forces in the autonomous Iraqi Kurdish region arrested opposition figure Lahur Sheikh Jangi on Friday after several hours of armed clashes, a security official told Agence-France Presse (AFP).
Jangi, a member of the influential Talabani family and one of two ruling clans in the autonomous region, "surrendered" while "his brother Polad was injured in the leg and was arrested," the official said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
This marks the second arrest of an opposition figure in Sulaymaniyah in under two weeks, following the detention of New Generation leader Shaswar Abdulwahid on Aug. 12.
The arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi and his brother Polad occurred after Kurdish Patriotic Union (PUK) media reported that a group of fighters loyal to Lahur Sheikh Jangi surrendered to PUK forces at the Lalezar Hotel.
Clashes began at 3 a.m. at the Lalezar Hotel and continued for four hours. According to PUK-linked media, at least two PUK forces personnel were killed and 15 others were wounded during the confrontation.
According to the recent information reported by AFP, three members of the security forces were killed and 19 wounded during the arrest of an opposition figure, two security officials told.
Images shared from the scene showed flames and smoke rising from the Lalezar residence. The Sulaymaniyah Court had issued an arrest warrant for Lahur Sheikh Jangi prior to the operation.
PUK-affiliated media outlets announced that Rebwar Hemid Haci Xali, commander of Lahur Sheikh Jangi's forces, was also detained. Jangi's wife and children were reportedly safe and relocated to a secure location.
Prime Minister of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Masrour Barzani issued a statement following the incidents, saying, "The youth of this country should not be sacrificed, and all problems and disputes should be resolved through legal means."
Calling for restraint from all parties, Masrour Barzani stated, "I am making efforts with all parties to end these clashes, prevent bloodshed and violence."
Lahur, son of Jangi Talabani, brother of Jalal Talabani, was born in 1975 in the Koysancak district of Erbil. Forced to migrate to Iran with his family in 1988, Lahur stayed in that country for two years before seeking asylum in Britain in 1990.
After completing his university education in Britain, Lahur served as PUK's representative in Türkiye from 1999-2002.
In 2002, Lahur established a counterterrorism unit in Sulaymaniyah with his cousin Bafel Talabani, with U.S. support.
The 45-year-old with military experience was appointed head of PUK's intelligence unit called "Zanyari" in Sulaymaniyah in 2013.
The counterterrorism unit under Lahur's command played an important role in recapturing the Makhmur district of Mosul from the Daesh terrorist group in 2014, which was under the control of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) led by Barzani. Lahur's unit also fought on the front lines against Daesh in parts of Diyala, Kirkuk and Erbil.
Bafel, the eldest son of Jalal Talabani and, like Lahur, with a military background, was born in 1973. Bafel lived with his family in Britain for a period in the 1990s.
Returning to Sulaymaniyah in 2002 before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Bafel established the counterterrorism unit with his cousin Lahur with U.S. support.
After 2004, Bafel headed PUK's intelligence service Zanyari for a period. During the years when his father, Jalal Talabani, was alive, Bafel remained in the background, preferring to support his brother Qubad Talabani, who is currently the KRG's deputy prime minister.
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