ERBIL,— The city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan set a new Guinness World Record on Thursday evening for the largest shawarma skewer (dish) ever made, the Erbil Governorate announced.

The dish, known as Gass in Iraq, Gyros in Greece, Doner Kebab in Turkey, and Shawarma across the Arab world, weighed 2 tons and 672 kilograms.

It was prepared by Gas Al-Azadi restaurant, breaking a previous record held by a Turkish restaurant listed in the Guinness World Records book.

The Erbil Governorate said in an official statement that the city had successfully written its name in the Guinness World Records book, marking a historic achievement for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The cooking process took place in the city of Erbil and drew wide attention from residents and visitors alike.

Once cooking was completed, the Kurdistan Humanitarian Organization stepped in to coordinate the preparation of more than 4,000 individual shawarma meals from the record-breaking skewer.

The meals were then distributed as donations to service institutions, orphanages, and psychiatric hospitals across the city of Erbil.

This is not the first time Erbil has pursued a Guinness World Record.

In 2014, a restaurant in the city was shut down after serving a dish named “Kurdistan,” priced at $87,000, in an attempt to claim the Guinness World Record for the most expensive dish ever served.

(With files from Agencies)

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LONDON,— Global air travel continues to face major disruption after the war in Iran forced the shutdown of key Middle Eastern aviation hubs, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi.

The closures have left tens of thousands of travelers stranded and forced airlines worldwide to cancel or reduce services.

Airlines across Europe, Asia and North America have adjusted schedules, suspended routes and extended cancellations as the situation affects major flight corridors.

Greece’s Aegean Airlines said it had cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Amman until April 22. Services to Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan, and Baghdad remain suspended until May 24. Flights to Dubai are cancelled until April 19 and to Riyadh until April 18.

Latvia’s airBaltic reported that all flights to Tel Aviv are cancelled until April 5, while services to Dubai are suspended until October 24.

Air Canada said it had halted all flights to Tel Aviv until May 2 and cancelled flights to Dubai until March 28.

Spain’s Air Europa confirmed cancellations of all flights to Tel Aviv until April 10.

Air France said flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut are cancelled until March 21. The airline also suspended routes to Dubai and Riyadh until March 20. KLM, part of the same group, said it had suspended flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until March 28, and to Tel Aviv until April 11.

Hong Kong based Cathay Pacific cancelled all passenger flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh, along with cargo freighter services to those cities, until April 30.

Delta Air Lines said it had cancelled flights between New York and Tel Aviv until March 31, and return flights until April 1. The airline also delayed the restart of its Atlanta to Tel Aviv service. Flights to Tel Aviv are now paused until August 4, with return flights suspended until August 5.

El Al Israel Airlines said regular flight operations were cancelled until March 21.

Emirates said it is operating a reduced schedule after a partial reopening of regional airspace. Etihad Airways also reported a limited commercial schedule between Abu Dhabi and several key destinations.

Finnair cancelled flights to Dubai until March 29 and to Doha until April 2. The airline said it continues to avoid airspace over Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel.

Saudi budget carrier Flynas extended its suspension of flights to several destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq and Syria until March 31.

International Airlines Group, which owns British Airways, extended cancellations of flights to Amman, Bahrain, Dubai and Tel Aviv until May 31. Flights to Doha are cancelled until April 30. The group also added flights to Bangkok and Singapore, while services to Abu Dhabi remain suspended until later in the year.

India’s IndiGo said it had suspended operations to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah until March 28.

Japan Airlines said it had halted Tokyo to Doha flights until March 31 and return flights until April 1.

Poland’s LOT said flights to Dubai are cancelled until March 28 and to Tel Aviv until April 18. Flights to Riyadh are suspended until March 24, while services to Beirut are cancelled from March 31 through April 30.

Germany’s Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines and ITA Airways, said it had suspended flights to Tel Aviv until April 9. Flights to Beirut, Dubai, Amman, Erbil, Dammam and Abu Dhabi are cancelled until March 28. Services to Tehran are suspended until April 30 and to Riyadh until April 5 for operational reasons.

Malaysia Airlines said it had suspended all flights to Doha until March 28.

Norwegian Air said it plans to begin flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut from June 15, later than previously scheduled dates in early April.

Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines cancelled flights to Iran, Iraq, Amman, Beirut, Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah until April 12. Flights to Riyadh are cancelled until March 23.

Qatar Airways said it would operate a revised and limited schedule between March 18 and March 28.

Turkey’s transport ministry said Turkish Airlines had cancelled flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain and Dammam until March 19. Flights to Iran are cancelled until March 20.

Wizz Air said it had suspended flights to Israel until March 29. Services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman and Jeddah from mainland Europe are cancelled until mid September.

(With files from Reuters)

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WASHINGTON,— The U.S. State Department warned Friday that Iran-backed Shiite militias in Iraq could target hotels often used by foreigners in the country’s Kurdistan region in Iraq’s north.

The alert comes as American authorities work to help thousands of U.S. citizens stranded in the Middle East amid rising tensions.

The Trump administration has faced criticism over its early planning and response to evacuating U.S. citizens after U.S.-Israeli strikes last Saturday prompted retaliatory attacks by Iran on neighboring countries.

These events also caused airspace closures across parts of the region.

A statement from the U.S. embassy in Baghdad urged Americans in Iraq to leave the country as soon as it is safe.

The embassy said those who decide to stay should be ready to shelter in place for extended periods and have sufficient supplies of food, water, medicines, and other necessities.

The advisory noted that commercial flights are not operating from Iraq at this time. Americans willing to leave may need to consider overland travel to exit the country.

On Friday, President Donald Trump said the U.S. is evacuating thousands of people from Middle Eastern countries affected by the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

Trump wrote on social media that the operation is being carried out “quietly, but seamlessly” but did not provide further details.

Later in the day, the State Department said it continues to contact Americans in the region to provide assistance with charter flights or overland travel.

Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said several flights have safely returned hundreds of Americans to the United States, with more flights planned in the coming days as security conditions allow.

Johnson added that a State Department task force has directly assisted nearly 13,000 Americans abroad, offering both travel help and security guidance.

(With files from Reuters)

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Low demand forces 10 flight cancellations at Erbil Airport during Ramadan

ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— Ten flights scheduled at Erbil International Airport have been canceled due to low passenger numbers, airport officials said.

Ahmed Hoshyar, director of Erbil International Airport, spoke to Channel8 TV and explained that the decision was driven by a lack of passengers.

He said all affected travelers were informed on Feb. 17 that their flights would not operate. Hoshyar did not provide additional details about the number of passengers booked on the canceled routes.

The suspended flights included services to and from Ankara, Istanbul, Vienna, and Doha.

These destinations are part of the airport’s regular international network, connecting Iraqi Kurdistan with Turkey, Europe, and the Middle East. Airlines typically operate these routes several times a week.

Hoshyar reassured travelers that all other scheduled flights will continue as planned. “Passengers traveling to destinations not affected by the cancellations will not experience any changes to their schedules,” he said.

Officials noted that passenger traffic usually decreases during Ramadan, continuing at a lower level until just before the Eid holiday.

Following this period, travel activity generally rises, with more visitors arriving in the Kurdistan Region and more residents traveling abroad.

Airport staff said they expect passenger numbers to increase again during Eid and other public holidays.

Erbil International Airport is one of the main airports serving the Kurdistan Region. Along with Sulaimani International Airport, it handles most of the international and domestic flights in the area.

The airport is a key gateway for residents of Iraqi Kurdistan and visitors from neighboring regions, facilitating tourism, business travel, and international connections.

The cancellations highlight seasonal variations in travel demand, which affect airport operations and scheduling.

Airport officials emphasized that the decision was made to optimize resources and ensure safe and efficient service for all passengers.

With these measures, Erbil International Airport continues to operate normally for unaffected routes while planning for the expected rise in passenger traffic later in the holiday season.

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NEW YORK,— Iraq’s passport has been ranked among the weakest in the world, granting its holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 29 countries, according to the 2026 Henley Passport Index.

The ranking places Iraq 99th globally, making it the third worst after Syria and Afghanistan, the agency reported.

The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, evaluates 199 passports and 227 travel destinations based on visa requirements.

The 2026 report uses data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and tracks trends over the last two decades, providing a global measure of passport strength.

Historically, Iraq’s passport has fluctuated in ranking. It stood at 81st in 2006, gradually declining over the years with some recovery in 2026.

The decade-by-decade rankings show Iraq at 81st in 2006, slipping to 100th by 2011, dropping further to 115th in 2021, then ranking 102nd in 2024 and 104th in 2025, before climbing slightly to 99th this year.

In contrast, passports from other Arab countries offer significantly greater travel freedom in 2026, according to the Henley Passport Index.

The United Arab Emirates leads the region, ranked fifth worldwide, with visa-free access to 184 countries. Other Gulf nations, including Qatar (47th), Kuwait (50th), Saudi Arabia (54th), Bahrain (55th), Oman (57th), and Tunisia (70th), also rank higher than Iraq.

Global leaders in passport strength include Singapore in first place, followed by Japan and South Korea. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden share the third spot.

Experts note that despite Iraq’s oil wealth, decades of armed conflict, sectarian violence, political instability, and corruption continue to undermine the country’s international mobility.

Thousands of Iraqis, including many from the Kurdistan Region, are leaving the country each year in search of better opportunities in Europe.

The Henley Passport Index remains a widely cited benchmark for measuring the relative strength of passports and the ease of international travel. Iraq’s persistent low ranking underscores ongoing challenges for its citizens seeking to travel abroad.

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Flights Between Turkey and Sulaimani to Resume November 3, 2025

ANKARA,— Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has approved the lifting of Turkey’s airspace ban on flights to Sulaimani International Airport, ending more than a year and a half of restrictions that had disrupted travel and trade between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, according to Turkish officials.

The flight ban, first introduced on April 3, 2023, was based on what Turkish authorities described as increased Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) activity in Sulaimani province.

The order blocked all international flights bound for Sulaimani from entering Turkish airspace, forcing passengers from Europe and other destinations to transit through airports in the Gulf, including Dubai.

Yahya Ustun, Turkish Airlines’ Senior Vice President for Media Relations, announced on X that flights to Sulaimani will soon resume. “As the national airline, we take pride in representing Turkey in skies across the world,” he said. “Our Sulaimani service, operating daily, will help strengthen trade, culture, and tourism ties between Iraq and Turkey.”

Authorities in the Kurdistan Region welcomed the move, calling it a sign of progress in bilateral relations.

A statement issued by regional officials said the decision “reflects the positive and cooperative framework” between Erbil and Ankara and will benefit residents of Sulaimani and the wider region.

Turkey has long accused local leaders in Sulaimani of having close ties with the PKK, which is banned in Turkey. It is not the first time Ankara has taken punitive action against the province.

Following the 2017 Barzani’s controversial Kurdish independence referendum, Iraq’s central government closed the skies to both Erbil and Sulaimani airports. While most countries reopened airspace to Erbil in early 2018, Turkey kept restrictions on Sulaimani, citing security concerns.

The PKK formally announced its disbandment in May this year, ending decades of armed conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people. The group’s decision followed an appeal from its imprisoned founder, Abdullah Ocalan, for a political solution to the Kurdish question. In a symbolic ceremony held in eastern Sulaimani province in July, PKK fighters publicly burned their weapons.

In another development, Baghdad recently approved a proposal to rename the Sulaimani airport after Jalal Talabani, the late Iraqi president and Kurdish political leader.

Erdogan’s decision to reopen the airspace comes shortly after Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani visited Ankara for talks with Turkish leaders.

Barzani met with Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss political, security, and economic cooperation, according to official statements. Kurdish outlet Rudaw reported that Barzani personally requested the lifting of the ban, though this could not be independently confirmed.

Political analysts view the move as a possible attempt by Barzani to reduce friction between his Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), which holds sway in Sulaimani. The Kurdistan Region has faced a political deadlock for more than a year, with no functioning parliament or unified government in place.

Economic losses caused by the ban have been substantial. Ata Anwar, who heads the Association of Tourism Agencies in Sulaimani, told Channel8 that nearly 200 travel companies depend on Turkish flights. He estimated losses exceeding one million dollars monthly due to canceled routes.

The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority had extended the ban multiple times since 2023. The reopening of airspace is expected to revive Sulaimani’s tourism and business sectors, restoring an important link between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey.

Turkey will reopen its airspace to flights bound for Sulaimani International Airport and resume direct air service to the city starting November 3, 2025 the airport’s acting chief announced on October 15, 2025.

Rebaz Mohamed, acting CEO of Sulaimani International Airport, said operations will restart with five flights per week, with plans to expand to daily flights in the near future.

(With files from Agencies)

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SULAIMANI,— Authorities in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region auctioned nearly 60 properties from the Chavy Land entertainment complex in Sulaimani city on Sunday, raising more than 91 billion dinars (about $69.5 million), officials said.

The sale is part of efforts to recover debts linked to opposition leader and businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, who is serving a prison sentence.

The assets, owned by Chavy Company, were offered as a single package under a Ministry of Finance order.

The auction was managed by the Sulaimani Execution Directorate, part of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Justice Ministry. Local sources said the properties were bought in full by a young wealthy investor from Sulaimani identified only as Akam.

Abdulwahid, founder of the New Generation Movement (Cûłanewey Newey Nwê), leads a party that holds 15 seats in the Kurdistan parliament and nine seats in Iraq’s parliament.

He has been under detention since August, following his arrest at home in Sulaimani over a complaint filed by former lawmaker Shadi Nawzad.

The Sulaimani Criminal Court later sentenced him to five months under Article 431 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which covers threats.

Court officials said Chavy Company’s debts have been longstanding and include unpaid public service charges for electricity, water and taxes in addition to loans guaranteed by the government. Judges previously confirmed that total liabilities exceeded 90 billion dinars.

The businessman faces 79 separate legal complaints from individuals, government institutions, activists and political figures.

Chavy Land, promoted as one of Kurdistan’s largest tourism investments, opened with attractions including a cable car, roller coasters, a wax museum, cinema, fountains, hotels, restaurants and recreation areas.

However, shareholders in the project have criticized Abdulwahid for failing to deliver returns. They say that since investing $22 million beginning in 2011, they have received only token payments in 2013 and 2016 amounting to less than $70 combined in recent years. Investors allege they were not paid at all for 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Abdulwahid also controls Nalia Group, another major media business entity in the region. Following his sentencing, he delegated control of the New Generation Movement to a seven-member committee to manage political and electoral matters while he remains in custody.

Abdulwahid appeared again before the Sulaimani court on Sunday. Judicial officials adjourned his case until November 3, 2025.

(With files from Agencies)

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BAGHDAD,— Iraq’s government has approved a unified nationwide electronic visa system that will apply to all visitors, including those entering through the Kurdistan Region, officials said Tuesday.

The office of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced in a statement that the Cabinet voted to establish a single federal platform for issuing entry visas.

The system will also link visa issuance with mandatory health insurance coverage for travelers.

According to the statement, the Kurdistan Regional Government will no longer issue visas separately.

Instead, the KRG will be required to process entry permits through the federal system, which will only accept applications accompanied by health insurance certificates.

All relevant ministries and the KRG Representation are barred from issuing visas without proof of insurance, the statement added.

Fees collected through the platform will go to Iraq’s Health Insurance Authority. That agency will also provide insurance certificates for groups not eligible under the e-visa system, according to the government.

A separate platform will handle health insurance documents for individuals outside the new framework.

The Interior Ministry announced in March that Iraq would begin providing electronic visas for travelers from a number of countries in place of visas on arrival.

Eligible nations include European Union members as well as Australia, Canada, China, France, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Kurdistan Region had launched its own e-visa service in February 2023 as part of efforts to encourage tourism and investment.

That system allowed foreign travelers to enter Erbil and other cities in the region but did not grant access to federal territory outside Kurdistan Region.

Currently, the KRG continues to run its own visa regime. Citizens of 53 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union states, can obtain visas upon arrival at airports and border crossings in the Kurdish region. These visas, however, remain valid only within Kurdistan and do not allow entry into federal Iraq.

(With files from Agencies)

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BAGHDAD,— Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Transport Minister Razzaq al-Saadawi have approved a request to rename the Sulaimaniyah international airport in Sulaimani province in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region after the late Kurdish leader and former Iraqi president Jalal Talabani, officials said Tuesday.

Maytham al-Safi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Transport, told state media that the two leaders agreed to change the name of Sulaimaniyah International Airport to Jalal Talabani International Airport. He said the decision will take effect once final procedures are completed.

The move follows a formal request submitted by the President Jalal Talabani Foundation, which has pushed for the change over the last four years. The foundation said the renaming honors Talabani’s political legacy and his decades of service to both Kurds and Iraqis.

Ambassador Mohammed Sabir, who heads the foundation, welcomed the decision. “President Mam Jalal, like other great leaders, deserves to be remembered in every possible way. Naming Sulaimaniyah International Airport after him is a modest tribute to his historic struggle and lasting achievements,” he said.

Sabir added that relevant instructions have already been circulated to the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority and airports nationwide. A public ceremony will be held once the paperwork is finalized.

Sabir described the renaming as part of a broader effort to preserve Talabani’s role in modern Iraqi history. “This ensures that Mam Jalal’s name will live on, just as other countries commemorate their leaders through national landmarks,” he said.

Sulaimaniyah International Airport was inaugurated in July 2005 by Talabani himself. Construction of the airport began in 2003, with the facility built over 13.5 square kilometers.

It was formally recognized by international aviation organizations later in 2005. Although located in the Kurdistan Region, the airport is overseen by Iraq’s Civil Aviation Authority.

The President Jalal Talabani Foundation describes itself as an independent, non-profit institution that documents and promotes Talabani’s life and contributions.

Local Opposition Emerges

Not everyone welcomed the decision by the Iraqi Prime Minister and Transport Minister. The Sulaimanyah Nature and Property Protection Board released a statement on Tuesday calling the renaming a “serious violation” that ignores local opinion.

According to the board, the airport belongs to the residents of Sulaimanyah and cannot be claimed by any political family or party. The group argued that the city’s 241-year-old history is “greater than the legacy of any one person.”

The statement criticized what it described as unilateral action by an organization tied to the Talabani family. It urged both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central authorities in Baghdad to preserve the existing name.

“We insist that Sulaimaniyah International Airport remain unchanged, and we warn against setting a precedent where public institutions are renamed without community approval,” the board said.

Some critics also noted that Kurdistan’s history includes many other prominent personalities whose names could equally be chosen for such landmarks.

They warned the move might trigger further renamings across the region, saying Erbil International Airport could one day be renamed Mustafa Barzani Airport and Duhok Airport might carry the name of Massoud Barzani. Opponents said such steps risk turning public facilities into symbols of party politics rather than collective heritage.

Talabani’s Legacy

Jalal Talabani, known popularly as Mam Jalal, was born in 1933 and became one of the most influential Kurdish leaders of the 20th century. He co-founded the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in 1975 after years of political activism, including his early involvement with the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Kurdistan Students Union.

Talabani joined the armed struggle in the 1960s and played a central role in the Kurdish resistance movement. After the collapse of the Kurdish revolution in 1975, he helped consolidate Kurdish political forces under the newly formed PUK.

Following the 1991 Uprising, Talabani was a leading negotiator with Baghdad and was instrumental in the establishment of the Kurdistan Regional Government after the 1992 elections. His advocacy for federalism later shaped the framework of Iraq’s post-Saddam governance.

After the 2003 U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein’s Ba’ath government, Talabani was elected as Iraq’s president in 2005. He became the first Kurd and first non-Arab to hold the office, serving until 2014. His reputation as a mediator earned him the respect of Iraq’s diverse political and religious groups. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani once described him as “Iraq’s safety valve.”

Talabani died in 2017 after years of health complications. He remains a symbol of Kurdish aspirations and national reconciliation.

The renaming of Sulaimaniyah International Airport by the Prime Minister and Transport Minister has now reignited debate over how his legacy should be honored, with supporters viewing the change as long overdue recognition and critics warning against personalizing public infrastructure.

(With files from PUKmedia | NRT TV | Rudaw)

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Kurdistan Regional Government to auction 60 properties owned by Shaswar Abdulwahid over debts

SULAIMANI,— A court in the city of Sulaimani in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region sentenced opposition leader Shaswar Abdulwahid to five months in prison on Tuesday, according to his lawyer and party officials.

Abdulwahid, a businessman turned politician, heads the New Generation Movement (Cûłanewey Newey Nwê), which holds 15 of 100 seats in the Kurdistan parliament and nine seats in Iraq’s national legislature.

The group positions itself as the main challenger to the region’s dominant parties, the Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Talabani’s Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The ruling was announced by Abdulwahid’s lawyer, Bashdar Hasan, who told reporters the legal team plans to appeal. “The court sentenced Mr. Abdulwahid to five months in prison,” Hasan said without providing further details about the charges.

The conviction is linked to a series of complaints filed against the politician. According to party officials, 79 lawsuits were submitted, most of them by shareholders of Chavi Land, a major amusement park project in Sulaimani.

Others were brought by individuals and some institutions associated with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The legal decision came shortly after KRG’s Ministry of Finance and Economy confirmed that 60 properties tied to Nalia and Chavi companies had been seized for public auction.

The General Directorate of Commercial Banks announced Sunday that the companies, both linked to Abdulwahid, owe around 92 billion Iraqi dinars.

The ministry said the auction would cover an outstanding debt of 91.76 billion dinars, including interest. Properties on the list include land parcels, hotels, tourist cabins, cafeterias, and other assets. The sale process will begin once it is published in the official gazette.

Chavi Land, located in Sulaimani, has been one of the region’s largest recreational projects, featuring roller coasters, a telefric system, a wax museum, a movie theater, restaurants, and hotels.

Shareholders have accused Abdulwahid of withholding dividend payments and claimed they have received minimal returns on a $22 million investment since 2011.

Some investors say they received as little as 80,000 dinars (about $67) over the past decade.

Many of those who invested were ordinary citizens, including orphans, who hoped the project would secure financial benefits, according to one shareholder. After repeated attempts to recover their money and meet Abdulwahid failed, they turned to the courts.

The New Generation Movement NGM dismissed the court ruling as politically motivated and vowed to continue challenging the KDP and PUK. “We will pursue the same vision and path of Mr. Shaswar,” the party said in a statement.

“Our efforts to oppose the looting and the gangster regime of the PUK and KDP will only intensify.” The group also signaled readiness for Iraq’s parliamentary elections scheduled for November. The party is part of the broader electoral alliance led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

Abdulwahid was arrested on august 12, 2025, at his home in Sulaimani in connection with a defamation case filed by a former member of parliament. it was not his first detention.

Since founding the New Generation Movement in 2017, he has been arrested multiple times, including on blackmail charges, and has also survived an assassination attempt.

Known for his strong focus on personal image, Abdulwahid often appears in public wearing stylish clothes, keeping a well-groomed beard, and paying close attention to skincare and overall appearance.

Tensions flared again this month when clashes broke out in Sulaimani during the arrest of former PUK leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi Talabani, who now heads the opposition People’s Front (Berey Gel), 10 days after Abdulwahid’s detention.

(With files from AFP | Agencies)

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