Former Change Movement official denies founding new opposition party in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq — Abdullah Mela Nuri, a former official of the Change Movement, denied reports that he has established a new opposition party in Sulaymaniyah. In a statement, Mela Nuri said claims that a five-member party had been founded and was visiting opposition groups in the city did not reflect the truth. Mela Nuri said the claims were being spread to obscure the issue and complicate the political landscape. Kurdish media outlets and social media pages had reported that a five-person opposition structure called the "Joint Working Group for the Service of Citizens" had been set up, including three former members of parliament. The reports claimed the group was led by Mela Nuri alongside Shirko Heme Amin and Beiman Izzeddin. Mela Nuri also firmly rejected claims that the group had begun visits to opposition parties in Sulaymaniyah.