After Niyaz Dargalai was assassinated in August 2023 under mysterious and unclear circumstances in his own garden in Ranya city, and to this day no party has claimed responsibility for his assassination, the security and governmental authorities of the region and the Kurdistan Region have not issued any statements or clarifications regarding the investigations. Following the aforementioned assassination, Niyaz Dargalai’s family and associates in the villages of Dargala, Soran, and Ranya have come under threat and pressure, including death threats and kidnapping warnings.

In the areas of Soran, Dargala, and Rawanduz, those close to Niyaz Dargalai, particularly those who had friendship and proximity with the deceased, are living in danger with an uncertain fate. Among them is (Ahmad Qadir), who is currently hiding in an undisclosed location out of fear of being killed or assassinated. Besides Ahmad Qadir, both (Aso Amir Kamal) from the Soran and Dargala areas, who are relatives and close friends of Niyaz Dargalai, have been threatened. Similarly, Niyaz Dargalai’s brother (Chia Hawar Jalal Beg), who after the assassination incident acted as the family’s representative working with lawyers to follow up on the case, has faced increased threats and is currently living a difficult life, being threatened to remain silent and not to mention Niyaz Dargalai’s assassination case anymore.

Generally, Niyaz Dargalai’s brothers, sisters, and cousins are under severe threat and pressure, and they call upon representatives of countries, consulates, embassies, and United Nations representatives to come to their aid.

Niyaz Dargalai’s family and associates have filed complaints with police in both the green and yellow zones several times, but their complaints have not been addressed, and they have been told not to visit security agencies for filing complaints again under any circumstances.

As is evident, in recent years several military and political figures in both zones have been assassinated under suspicious circumstances, and their families and associates have faced threats and displacement. The Kurdistan Regional Government has not taken any clear stance, and the Iraqi government has distanced itself from these cases.

Niyaz Jalal Beg Dargalai was from Dargala village, which belongs to the independent administration of Soran. After the civil war, he settled in Ranya city, but some of his relatives remained in Dargala village, who are currently hiding in undisclosed locations out of fear of being arrested and killed to ensure their safety.

April 29, 2025