Lahur Sheikh Jangi, leader of the (People's Front ), is currently in the custody of the Sulaimani security forces. Will he be tried in court? Or will be handed over to the UK as a British citizen? Did he surrender, or was he captured? Who was the commander in Lalazar who was able to escape?

Beginning of the Events

Over the past two months, especially after the protests in Sulaimani and their suppression by the security forces — with fears that others would also join in — some PUK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) leaders believed there was a security shake-up. Several senior military officers gathered to discuss these concerns, raising suspicions of a coup or internal instability. The PUK then launched security operations.

A week before the attack on Lalazar, armed clashes took place around 5:00 AM. Two people were injured in the fighting. Lahur Sheikh Jangi’s associates informed Asayish (security) about the incident, but officials at Lalazar insisted they had already provided videos and evidence to Asayish, which had ignored them.

Bafel Talabani’s side is talking about an assassination attempt, accusing Lahur Sheikh Jangi and another security official of trying to assassinate Bafel Talabani using a drone. Lahur dismissed this, saying it was internal PUK disputes, not a plot linked to him.

On August 20, Bafel Talabani traveled to Baghdad, informing several embassies (US, UK, France) and Iraqi political leaders about plans to strike against Lahur Sheikh Jangi. He returned to Dabashan (PUK HQ) the same evening under heavy security with convoys and helicopters flying overhead.

On August 21, in the afternoon, checkpoints were closed and all roads monitored to prevent Lahur’s associates from moving. Security forces, including counter-terrorism, commandos, and SWAT, were fully mobilized with armored vehicles, artillery, and drones, set for 3:00 AM.

Lalazar was defended by about 200 men from the KRG Interior Ministry alongside Polad Sheikh Jangi, Rebwar Hamid Haji Ghali, and Ahmed Asaf. However, none of Lahur’s traditional allies or defectors joined them.

At night, Lahur called Sulaimani’s Asayish chief, asking about the attacking forces. He was told there was a warrant for his arrest and urged to surrender. During the heated exchanges, Bafel Talabani himself intervened several times by phone, insisting Lahur must give up. Lahur refused, warning, “You will pay the price if you come.”

Around 3:30 AM, heavy clashes broke out. For more than three hours, counter-terrorism forces, commando units, armored vehicles, drones, and artillery were used. Lalazar’s defenders resisted fiercely. Eventually, drones bombarded Lalazar, allowing commandos to storm the compound. By then, many of Lahur’s men were out of ammunition and surrendered.

Lahur was captured while trying to help his brother Polad Sheikh Jangi, who had been badly wounded. Wahab Halabjai escorted Lahur, Polad, Zino Mohammed, and Fink Ahmed out of the compound under arrest.

Awat Sheikh Jangi

Awat, Lahur’s sister, insisted on joining the fight despite her ill health, saying she couldn’t abandon her brothers. She stayed with them until the end, even at the moment of Lahur’s capture.

Lahur’s other brothers — Aras, Hiwa, and Ako — were abroad. His wife and children were also not in Kurdistan.

Other Commanders

• Rebwar Hamid Haji Ghali: Fought for hours, refusing to surrender. Eventually, his father was pressured to persuade him. He finally gave up after running out of ammunition.

• Ahmed Asaf: The only commander who escaped. He continued fighting until the last moment, then broke out during the chaos. He later posted on Facebook: “I will never surrender; I’d rather be a free hawk than a chained slave.”

Casualties

Officially, Asayish reported 3 security personnel killed and 19 injured.
Unofficially, around 30 fighters from Lahur’s side were killed or injured, including six of his personal guards.

Fate of Lahur Sheikh Jangi

After capture, Lahur was transferred directly to the Asayish prison. Polad, shot in the leg, was hospitalized. Other detainees were moved to Kani Goma prison. Zino Mohammed and Fink Ahmed were later released.

Initially, charges were under Article 56 of Iraqi law (conspiracy to disturb public security). Later, it shifted to Article 406 (premeditated murder), tied to the deaths of security officers.

Bafel Talabani insists Lahur must be tried because:

• He allegedly attempted a coup.

• He fought against official security forces.

• Security officers were killed.

But the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) clarified that the operation was conducted by PUK party forces, not official government security forces, and that the cabinet was not informed until after it started.

UK Citizenship 

Both Lahur and Polad hold British passports. The UK government has raised concerns with Bafel Talabani. Some discussions considered allowing Lahur and Polad to leave politics and resettle in the UK. But current indications point toward trial and sentencing in Kurdistan.