An Iraqi security source reported on Friday morning that clashes in Sulaymaniyah Province had ended after nearly six hours of intense fighting. According to sources, the confrontations resulted in three deaths and 18 injuries. The source added that security forces were conducting a sweep of the areas where the clashes occurred, following the arrest of opposition politician Lahur Sheikh Jangi by Kurdistan Region security forces after hours of armed conflict involving heavy weaponry.

A government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Jangi “surrendered himself,” while his brother Polad was “injured in the leg and arrested,” according to AFP. This marks the second arrest of an opposition figure in Sulaymaniyah—Kurdistan’s second-largest city—in less than two weeks.

The city witnessed violent clashes from Thursday night into Friday after security forces surrounded a hotel to execute a judicial warrant for the arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi, leader of the Kurdish People's Front Party, who had refused to surrender to Iraqi authorities. Kurdish media reported that both Jangi and his brothers were eventually arrested.

The clashes involved heavy and medium weapons, and Kurdish outlets confirmed Polad Sheikh Jangi was among the injured.

Sulaymaniyah Governor Haval Abu Bakr called on all parties to cooperate in resolving the current tensions, stressing that fighting and violence would not solve any problems but rather complicate and delay solutions.

A Sulaymaniyah court had issued an arrest warrant for Lahur Sheikh Jangi under Article 56, which pertains to “a group gathering with the intent to disturb public security and safety.”

Media affiliated with Jangi revealed that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani had contacted him, urging restraint.

Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani also called for an end to the clashes and the prevention of bloodshed, warning that the escalation threatens the region’s security. Barzani emphasized the need to resolve all disputes through legal channels and affirmed his efforts to work with all parties to contain the tensions and prevent further violence.