Iraq says several people arrested following attacks on US-linked media

It is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Western-linked brands in Iraq that began last week and have so far caused damage but no casualties.

The attacks were aimed at “harming American interests,” the ministry said, adding that several suspects were arrested in last week's attacks.

“Unfortunately, it turned out that some of them belonged to one of the security apparatuses and carried out these actions to harm American interests,” the ministry said.

A security source said 13 suspects were arrested on Monday, without providing details. Another security official said several people were arrested and then released.

Monday's attack came shortly after the powerful pro-Iran group Kataeb Hezbollah called on its supporters to “boycott and expel” what they denounced as “espionage” entities affiliated with the “occupation “.

The group, which Washington considers a “terrorist” organization, has repeatedly called for the departure of American troops from Iraq.

Kataeb Hezbollah is part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a loose alliance of pro-Iranian groups that claimed attacks on US troops during the Gaza war before suspending them in late January.

He is also part of Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of paramilitaries now integrated into regular Iraqi security forces.

Since the start of the war in Gaza in October, a boycott movement led by pro-Palestinian activists has targeted major Western brands, such as Starbucks and McDonald's.

Iraq does not recognize the State of Israel and all its political parties support the Palestinian cause.

ak-RH/kir