Security sources: Attack on restaurants with links to the USA in Baghdad

A group of 30 men attacked a branch of US fast-food chain KFC and a Chilli House restaurant on Palestine Street, a security source said.

Security forces fired shots in the air to disperse the group before arresting at least two people, the official added.

However, for safety reasons, the attack did not cause any material damage, but no injuries were caused.

Local media published videos showing masked men smashing glass and furniture in the KFC branch.

In response, security forces increased their presence in neighborhoods where U.S. brands are based.

Early Thursday, two stun bombs exploded in front of a dealership of the US construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar and the Cambridge Institute, which a local resident identified as a suspected Iraqi language learning center.

On May 26, an improvised bomb was thrown at a KFC branch, causing minor damage. The next night, masked men broke into another branch and smashed glass.

US Ambassador to Iraq Alina Romanowski condemned several “attacks on American and international companies” in Baghdad on Thursday.

Iraq does not recognize Israel’s statehood and all its political parties support the Palestinian cause.

Shortly before Monday’s attack, the powerful pro-Iranian Kataeb Hezbollah in Iraq called for the “boycott and expulsion” of what it called “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.

Last month, influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada Sadr renewed his call for the US embassy in Baghdad to be closed “through diplomatic means and without bloodshed” after an Israeli attack on a camp in the Gaza Strip killed dozens of civilians.

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.

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