American businesses in Baghdad face closure amid US-Iran war

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - American brands in Baghdad are once again facing the risk of closure and attacks. All American brands and restaurants are protected by security forces to prevent those threats from turning into action.

This comes after the US and Israel initiated a war on Iran on Saturday. 

“Iraqis have generally boycotted American brands. Honestly, the situation is dire. The martyrdom of Ali Khamenei has affected the Iraqi community as a whole and work in particular,” Ali Ammar, a delivery driver, told Rudaw. 

Rudaw has learned that two KFC branches have now been closed, out of fear of being attacked by armed groups while operating.

However, other American brands continue to operate under the protection of security forces.

“We hope this war ends as soon as possible and does not further affect the market. People want to live and earn their livelihoods. We hope it ends soon,” Khalil Sahim, a restaurant worker, said. 

The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran, along with drone and missile attacks by groups affiliated with the Islamic Resistance against American interests, has placed Iraqis in a state of deep uncertainty and fear of being dragged into an open-ended conflict.

Halkawt Aziz contributed to this article from Baghdad.