Iraq
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller speaking to reporters on June 5, 2024. Photo: State Department
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Wednesday that the recent attacks on KFC and other franchise companies in Baghdad harm Iraqis working at these businesses, calling on the Iraqi government to take “appropriate measures” against the assailants.
“The attacks on these, what are essentially franchises of US companies, harm Iraqi workers, Iraqi patrons and sometimes Iraqi capital that has been employed there, and so their attacks eventually against the Iraqi people and we think the Iraqi government ought to take appropriate measures to respond to those attacks and hold people accountable for it,” Miller said during a press briefing in response to a question by Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda.
Iraq’s interior ministry on Wednesday announced the arrest of a new batch of assailants who targeted American and foreign businesses in Baghdad, adding that security services are pursuing the remaining suspects.
The suspects were arrested under Article Four of the Anti-Terrorism law, the statement said. According to the article, anyone found guilty of committing a terror offense is given a death sentence, with life imprisonment given to those who assist or hide those convicted of terrorism.
On Tuesday, Iraq announced that it had arrested a number of assailants who targeted foreign businesses. They included members of the security forces.
Asked how these businesses will feel safe if the security forces are involved in the attacks, Miller replies, “whenever attacks like these are carried out, whoever the perpetrator is, it is appropriate that those individuals be held accountable. And in this case, that's what the Iraqi Government is doing, and we want to see them continue to do it.”
American and British companies in Baghdad, including KFC and Caterpillar, have been the target of a series of attacks in recent days, and have been subject to boycott calls over their alleged links to Israel.
On Thursday, the US embassy warned that attacks on foreign businesses in Baghdad “could weaken Iraq’s ability to attract foreign investment,” and condemned the attacks.
Iraq is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has on several occasions condemned the lack of global support for justice for Palestinians.
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