The attacks that previously targeted a chain of American restaurants in the capital, Baghdad, now appear to be expanding to include any entity with a foreign association or connections to Israel. This situation once again places Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani before the reality of the armed groups’ lack of restraint and the inability of official security forces to control them and their weapons.
Despite sanctions issued against the holding forces, security sources revealed on Thursday that the branch of the American construction equipment company “Caterpillar” and the British “Cambridge” educational institute in Baghdad were subjected to two separate attacks.
Sources told “Al-Aalam Al-Jadeed” that “the branch of Caterpillar in the Jadriya area in central Baghdad was targeted with a sound bomb.”
They added that “the Cambridge British-American Institute was targeted with a homemade explosive device in the Palestine Street area in eastern Baghdad,” noting that “the attacks did not result in significant human injuries, only material damage to the buildings of the company and the institute.”
Moreover, the cell stated in a statement received by “Al-Aalam Al-Jadeed” that “a sound grenade exploded at 1:20 AM in front of the Caterpillar company in the Jadriya area, and another sound grenade exploded at 1:30 AM in front of the Cambridge Institute on Palestine Street in a residential area in the capital, Baghdad, without causing human or material damage.”
The statement added that “such acts desperately attempt to tarnish Iraq’s reputation and the tangible progress in reconstruction and citizen services, as well as the status and sacrifices of our security forces.”
The statement continued that “the heroic security forces, with all their divisions and intelligence agencies, will pursue and reach anyone who disrupts security and social peace and violates the law and public and private property.”
These attacks follow the targeting of two “KFC” restaurants by unknown assailants on May 26 in Palestine Street and Karrada-62 areas in Baghdad.
The next day, a “Lay’s Chili House” restaurant in Palestine Street, central Baghdad, was targeted with an explosive device.
In response, on May 27, Interior Minister Abdul Amir Al-Shammari issued a series of measures, including “punishing the negligent holding forces, relieving a brigade commander of his duties, detaining him, forming an investigative committee against him, and detaining the holding force from patrols of the police, federal police, and intelligence for a month. His Excellency stressed taking firm measures in any sector where attacks occur.”
Armed factions have repeatedly threatened the “KFC” chain, which opened in Baghdad after the Gaza war.
Last week, the capital, Baghdad, witnessed a demonstration in front of the “KFC” branch in the “Al-Khadraa” neighborhood in western Baghdad, demanding its closure on its opening day, with participants draped in the Palestinian flag.
It is worth noting that these restaurants and brands have been boycotted worldwide, including in Iraq, due to their main branches’ support for Israel.
The Iraqi government called on Wednesday for an “exceptional” Arab and regional stance to stop Israel’s war on Gaza, while appreciating the positions of countries that recognized the State of Palestine.
