ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – A local press freedom watchdog on Sunday accused armed groups of raiding and looting offices of local and foreign organizations in Sulaimani during the armed clashes in the city in late August, condemning it as a “clear violation” of international law.

In a statement released on Sunday, Metro Center for Journalists Rights and Advocacy accused armed groups of raiding “the buildings where the offices of local and international organizations are located,” amidst the conflict in Sulaimani’s Sarchinar neighborhood on August 22.

In addition to several local organizations, one of the organizations attacked was Un Ponte Per (UPP), an independent Italian non-profit organization operating in conflict areas, according to the statement from Metro.

The watchdog claimed they had reached out to the representatives from the organizations, but were surprised to see that “no one is prepared to speak on behalf of themselves or their organization, they have been silent for nearly two weeks,” despite the alleged presence of substantial evidence.

The statement asserted that the raids have “no legal basis,” and are “a clear violation of international humanitarian law,” noting it may risk discouraging foreign organizations from operating in the Kurdistan Region.

“All parties must protect the offices of local and foreign organizations,” said the watchdog, demanding “an apology and compensation for [the organizations’] losses,” and calling on independent media institutions to “uncover these violations and inform the public with more information.”

Forces affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) on August 22 besieged the residence of Lahur Sheikh Jangi, the current leader of the People's Front political party and former PUK co-chair, under the pretext of carrying out a warrant for his arrest.

The operation resulted in an armed confrontation at Lahur’s residence at Lalezar Hotel, located in the Sarchnar neighborhood in Sulaimani, resulting in dozens of casualties on both sides and heavy material damage to private and public buildings nearby.

Reporting by Hevi Karam