Iraq militias target KFC, other U.S. businesses to protest Gaza war
==========
Assailants in Iraq have targeted several U.S. and American-style food chains, including KFC and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, as part of an “economic boycott” of brands they say help fund the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. The attacks began in late May after Iran-backed Shiite militias called on their followers to protest the businesses. The militias claim that the profits from these businesses are funneled to Israel and its armed forces. In response to the unrest, the Iraqi government has deployed U.S.-trained counterterrorism units across Baghdad to protect foreign investors and signal control over pro-Iran groups. Similar protests against American brands have occurred in the Middle East and globally in the past. Shiite militias loyal to Iran hold significant political and military power in Iraq and have long opposed the U.S. military presence in the region. The attacks on popular burger and fried chicken joints in Baghdad have surprised many observers. The Iraqi government has apprehended suspects believed to be involved in the attacks, but some analysts argue that the response has targeted low-ranking militia members without addressing the senior network. The attacks have raised concerns among business owners in Baghdad, and some restaurants with foreign-sounding names have clarified that they are local businesses with no ties to U.S. corporations.
#Iraq #Militias #Kfc #GazaWar #Protest #Iranbacked #ShiiteMilitias #Counterterrorism #ForeignInvestment
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/16/iraq-kfc-israel-gaza/
The Washington Post /
npub1nw…97m8h
2024-06-16 06:57:04
Author Public Key
npub1nwad78hejfewj63p264uf2sxh0a5az753pw7auscrlupefjtr27sp97m8hPublished at
2024-06-16 06:57:04Event JSON
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"content": "Iraq militias target KFC, other U.S. businesses to protest Gaza war\n==========\n\nAssailants in Iraq have targeted several U.S. and American-style food chains, including KFC and Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken, as part of an “economic boycott” of brands they say help fund the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. The attacks began in late May after Iran-backed Shiite militias called on their followers to protest the businesses. The militias claim that the profits from these businesses are funneled to Israel and its armed forces. In response to the unrest, the Iraqi government has deployed U.S.-trained counterterrorism units across Baghdad to protect foreign investors and signal control over pro-Iran groups. Similar protests against American brands have occurred in the Middle East and globally in the past. Shiite militias loyal to Iran hold significant political and military power in Iraq and have long opposed the U.S. military presence in the region. The attacks on popular burger and fried chicken joints in Baghdad have surprised many observers. The Iraqi government has apprehended suspects believed to be involved in the attacks, but some analysts argue that the response has targeted low-ranking militia members without addressing the senior network. The attacks have raised concerns among business owners in Baghdad, and some restaurants with foreign-sounding names have clarified that they are local businesses with no ties to U.S. corporations.\n\n#Iraq #Militias #Kfc #GazaWar #Protest #Iranbacked #ShiiteMilitias #Counterterrorism #ForeignInvestment\n\nhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/06/16/iraq-kfc-israel-gaza/",
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