Iraq: Several people arrested for attacks on US-affiliated outlets

They were the latest in a series of attacks on Western-linked brands in Iraq that began last week and have so far caused damage but no casualties.

The aim of the attacks was to “harm American interests,” the ministry said. Several suspects were arrested in connection with last week’s attacks.

“Unfortunately, it turned out that some of them belong to one of the security apparatuses and carried out these actions to harm American interests,” the ministry said.

A security source said 13 suspects were arrested on Monday, but did not provide further details. Another security official said several people were arrested but later released.

Monday’s attack came shortly after the powerful pro-Iranian group Kataeb Hezbollah called on its supporters to “boycott and expel” what it described as “espionage organizations” linked to the “occupation.”

The group, which Washington considers a “terrorist” organization, has repeatedly called for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

Kataeb Hezbollah is part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of pro-Iranian groups that claimed responsibility for attacks on US troops during the Gaza war but then suspended them at the end of January.

The group is also part of Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of paramilitaries that is now integrated into the regular Iraqi security forces.

Since the Gaza war began in October, a boycott movement led by pro-Palestinian activists has targeted major Western brands such as Starbucks and McDonald’s.

Iraq does not recognize the State of Israel and all its political parties support the Palestinian cause.

ak-RH/kir