ERBIL — Head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction at the Kurdistan Region parliament has resigned from leading the parliamentary group as there are increasing speculations over an internal friction within the PUK leadership.

BasNews has learned that some groups within the PUK have been dissatisfied with MP Jamal Hawez and his performance as the head of the PUK faction.

MP Hawez was not immediately available for comments.

Political observers believe the resignation to be part of an extended rivalry between the two major groups within the PUK — one led by Talabani family and the other by Kosrat Rasool.

The two groups also made equal pressures during the nomination process of a speaker for the Kurdistan Region parliament, in which Rasool succeeded while Talabani family’s nominee was given the position of agriculture minister.

BasNews