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In Baghdad, elite Iraqi counterterrorism forces have been redeployed to protect US restaurant franchises amid attacks linked to the Gaza conflict.

Iraqi Militias Target US Businesses

The violence saw masked assailants targeting American food chains like KFC and Lee's Famous Recipe Chicken, according to a report by the Washington Post. These attacks follow calls from Iranian-backed Shiite militias urging protests against businesses they claim fund the Israeli military.

The militias argue that profits from these franchises support Israel's actions in Gaza. The US has been a long-standing supporter of Israel, particularly through its billions of military funding.

To curb further violence, Iraq has stationed counterterrorism units across Baghdad, particularly in areas with numerous international franchises. This move aims to assure foreign investors and demonstrate control over pro-Iranian groups.

Gaza War's Effect

Incidents have included sound bombs thrown at a language institute and an office of Caterpillar Inc., as well as protests outside the Baghdad offices of PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. A member of Kataib Hezbollah, who participated in the attacks, stated that the boycott will continue until American interests are shut down.

Shiite militias have consistently opposed the US military's presence. Earlier this year, they took responsibility for a drone strike in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three US service members, leading to retaliatory measures from the United States.