2 US restaurants attacked in Iraqi capital – Xinhua

An Iraqi police vehicle is seen in front of a KFC restaurant in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

BAGHDAD, June 3 (Xinhua) — Dozens of “protesters” stormed two American restaurants in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Monday night, causing damage, a security source said.

Angry protesters broke into a KFC restaurant on Palestine Street in eastern Baghdad before being dispersed by security forces who fired shots in the air, the Iraqi Interior Ministry source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Chili House and Lee’s restaurant in the Jadriya neighborhood were also attacked, with protesters smashing tables and chairs, the source said.

Iraqi security forces have increased their presence in the two districts and the situation is now under control, the source added.

The incidents occurred days after similar attacks on KFC, Chili House and Lee’s, as well as branches of American and British companies in Baghdad.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but local observers suspect a connection to the ongoing conflict in Gaza and speculate that the attacked businesses could be seen as representatives of countries that support Israel. ■

An Iraqi police vehicle is seen in front of a KFC restaurant in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)

An Iraqi police vehicle is seen in front of a KFC restaurant in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood)