The government of Iraq's Kurdistan Region expressed its concern on Friday about the armed clashes that took place in Sulaymaniyah province, while at the same time calling for the law to replace partisan decisions and violence.

The office of the head of the regional government said in a statement that the attack that occurred last night on the "Laleh Zar Hotel" in Sulaymaniyah by forces of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) was the result of a dispute between the PUK and the "People's Front." The presidency of the regional government was not aware of it until the last hours, i.e., when the raids and response began.

It added, "Despite the significant efforts made by the Prime Minister to prevent the outbreak of fighting and clashes, the attack was unfortunately carried out, resulting in deaths and injuries."

It continued, "We are deeply concerned about this incident. The law must replace partisan decisions and violence, and fighting and chaos must not be repeated so as not to endanger the stability of the Kurdistan Region."

Last night, forces affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) attacked the Laleh Zar Hotel in the city of Sulaymaniyah, which is the residence of the head of the People's Front, Lahur Sheikh Jangi. Jangi previously held the position of co-president of the PUK with his cousin, Bafel Jalal Talabani, before splitting from the union. The operation ended with the arrest of Lahur Sheikh Jangi along with two of his brothers, in addition to the killing of at least three people and the injury of 30 others.

The armed clashes spread terror among the city's residents and a number of tourists who were spending their holiday in Sulaymaniyah.

The clashes sparked internal and external reactions, including from the American and British embassies in Iraq, the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), in addition to positions from the Iraqi Presidency, the Kurdistan Region, and the governments of Baghdad and Erbil, all calling for restraint and resorting to the law to resolve disputes.