The power struggle within the Talabani dynasty is affecting the PUK.

On Tuesday, dozens of gunmen entered the offices of a media company owned by Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani, the co-chair of the PUK. The other co-chair, Bafel Talabani (48), the son of the PUK founder Jalal Talabani, and cousin of Lahur Sheikh Jangi (45), started to act against Lahur in a clear attempt to take full control of the party.

Last week, and allegedly with the KDP’s approval and encouragement, Bafel Talabani replaced the chiefs of the PUK’s counterterrorism and intelligence forces, led by Lahur Talabani, with people near to him. Bafel Talabani's younger brother, Qubad (deputy prime minister in the Kurdistan Regional Government), backed the move. Likewise, various PUK veterans sided with Bafel Talabani.  

Lahur Talabany and Bafel Talabani were elected as co-chairs of the PUK in February 2020.

The PUK is the second-largest party in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and shares power with its chief rival, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

The PKK Foreign Relations Committee stated that it is fully confident that the authorized mechanisms of the party elected at the PUK congress will resolve the emerging crisis within the PUK through party law and national responsibility.