ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) were not behind the recent attacks on several KFC franchises in Baghdad, days after Washington accused the group of engaging in violent activities. “The attacks that took place on some restaurants were carried out by outlaw groups and do not in any way represent Hash al-Shaabi,” the Iraqi foreign ministry said in a statement without mentioning the names of the restaurants. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told Rudaw in a press briefing on Thursday that “We do remain concerned that individuals within the PMF are not responsive to the Iraqi commander in chief and engage in violent and destabilizing activities in Iraq and Syria.” The Iraqi ministry described Miller’s remarks as “inaccurate information.” 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. Security forces have arrested several people, including their own members in relation to the attacks. The US embassy recently 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.
