ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s interior ministry on Tuesday announced the arrest of a number of assailants who targeted American and foreign businesses in Baghdad, adding that several attackers belong to the security forces.
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.
“After collecting accurate information, the names and places of work and residence of the perpetrators were determined and an arrest warrant was issued by the investigative judge,” said an Iraqi interior ministry statement.
The suspects were arrested under Article Four of the Anti-Terrorism law, the statement said.
According to Article Four of the 2005 Counter-Terrorism Law, 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.
The attacks resulted in material damage but no injuries.
The ministry said that it will continue to pursue the fugitives who have yet to be arrested.
“Some of the defendants belong to one of the security services, and were fundamentally arrested in order to refer them to the competent courts,” it added.
The boycotts are in response to Israel’s deadly military campaign against the Gaza Strip which has killed over 36,000, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel’s campaign was in retaliation to a large-scale incursion into southern Israel by Palestinian Hamas militants based in Gaza, which killed over 1,170.
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.
The embassy statement came hours after Iraq’s Security Media Cell called the attacks a “desperate” attempt to destabilize the country and harm its reputation.
Iraq is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and has on several occasions condemned the lack of global support for justice for Palestinians.
