Slemani — Reports of high-profile resignations from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) have continued to emerge in recent days, with veteran military commander Major General Ayoub Yousef, senior party figure Faisal Karimkhan Bradosti, and the secretary of the PUK Support Council all reportedly stepping down from their positions.
According to Kurdish media reports, Major General Ayoub Yousef submitted his resignation after four decades of service within the PUK. Ayoub, who served for many years as commander of one of the party’s military brigades affiliated with Kosrat Rasul, was recently removed from his post and replaced by commanders appointed under the leadership of PUK President Bafel Talabani.
Sources say the veteran commander has since withdrawn from political activities and is residing in his home village of Nazanin, focusing on his social and tribal engagements.
Meanwhile, Draw Media reported, citing a source close to Faisal Karimkhan Bradosti, that the PUK Leadership Council member formally submitted his resignation on June 22 to PUK Deputy President Rifaat Abdullah.
According to the report, Bradosti made the decision independently and intends to remain politically independent rather than join another party. The source added that several senior PUK officials visited him over the past two days in an effort to persuade him to reconsider, but he reportedly reaffirmed that his decision is final and that he no longer wishes to continue working within the party.
Reports also indicate that Bradosti’s departure extends beyond his personal resignation, with members of his entire family reportedly severing their ties with the PUK. The move is viewed as particularly significant given the family’s longstanding relationship with the late PUK founder Jalal Talabani, which predates the party’s establishment. Bradosti himself was a PUK parliamentary candidate for Erbil in 2021, while his son ran on the party’s ticket in the 2024 Kurdistan parliamentary elections.
In a separate development, Haji Masifi, Secretary of the PUK Support Council, confirmed to BasNews that he has voluntarily resigned from his position.
“Of my own volition, I have resigned from the PUK Support Council, and I no longer have any connection to this position,” Masifi said, declining to elaborate on the reasons behind his decision.
The reported departures have sparked debate among political observers and activists, some of whom argue they reflect growing dissatisfaction among veteran PUK members with the party’s direction under the leadership of Bafel and Qubad Talabani. Critics claim longtime members increasingly feel marginalized as the party places greater emphasis on newer figures, including business personalities and public figures.
However, neither Major General Ayoub Yousef nor Faisal Karimkhan Bradosti and his family have publicly confirmed or denied the reports regarding their resignations. Likewise, the PUK has not issued an official statement addressing the reported departures or the speculation surrounding them.
The reported resignations come at a sensitive time for the PUK, raising questions about internal cohesion as the party navigates political and organizational challenges ahead.
