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

Lahur Talabani and Bafel Talabani were elected as co-chairs of the PUK in February 2020. In the following months, 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.

On July 8, Bafel Talabani and his younger brother Qubad Talabani, who is the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) deputy prime minister, launched a series of moves designed to force Sheikh Jangi from his position and to undermine his sources of power within the PUK.

The PUK Politburo announced on Friday its approval of Talabani’s decision to dismiss Lahur Sheikh Jangi. The dismissal also concerns Jîno Mihemed, Şadman Mele Hesen and Ala Tahsin Hebib.

Furthermore, Aras Şêx Cengî's membership in the party was suspended for 6 months.