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Iraqi forces crack down on KFC protesters

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Iraqi security forces cracked down on protesters in Baghdad on Monday who attacked a KFC, wounding three of them by live fire and arresting at least 12, security and medical sources told Reuters.

The attack on a KFC on the city’s Palestine Street is at least the third in just over a week and was reported just as a senior official of the Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib Hezbollah released a statement urging Iraqis to “boycott and oust” U.S. brands.

According to the sources, the attack caused considerable damage, but neither staff nor customers were injured.

The store was opened by the Americana Group, the franchisee of KFC and Pizza Hut fast-food restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa. Americana did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

KFC attacked in the wake of boycotts

Iraqi students gather during a solidarity protest with American university students at Baghdad University in Iraq, May 5, 2024 (Source: REUTERS/THAIER AL-SUDANI)

Iraqi security forces did not immediately comment on Monday evening’s attacks.

The KFC brand, formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is owned by US-based Yum! Brands YUM.N.

Iraq is trying to encourage foreign companies to set up shop in the country, which has enjoyed a period of relative stability that has been shaken at times by security incidents, including months of clashes between Iranian-backed armed groups and U.S. forces.

Western brands have faced boycotts and other protests in many parts of the world during the war between Israel and Hamas, reflecting public anger over the Israeli military operation in Gaza, which began with the Hamas invasion of Israel that killed some 1,200 Israelis, Arabs and foreigners and took about 250 others hostage.



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