BAGHDAD, Iraq — Owners of shops selling alcohol in the Iraqi capital say they are used to paying bribes to militia groups in order to keep their businesses open. But recently, new groups have emerged and are threatening their livelihoods.
“They are gangs. They existed before and are still here. They set explosions, they smash shops, and they set on fire stores, bars, and massage centres,” said Farouq Jamal who has owned liquor shops for more than 12 years in Baghdad.
He said he routinely pays bribes of 350,000 IQD to 400,000 IQD ($240 - $275), but has recently shut up his shops.
Over the past two months, over 14 shops selling alcohol have been firebombed in Baghdad. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a security source in Baghdad said three shop owners have been killed.
Militia groups supported by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, Hashd al-Shaabi in Arabic), like Rab’Allah, have claimed responsibility for attacks on the alcohol shops and on a massage parlour last month.
Security officials say they have made some arrests.
“Any outlawed groups will be arrested. The government has now arrested some of their leaders. This can be applied even to the Hashd (Popular Mobilization Forces) if they breach the law,” said Badir Zaiyadi, a member of the parliament’s defence and security committee. “No space is left for those who carry weapons outside the government. They either have to join political parties or the government. Anything else is not allowed.”
But shop owner Jamal said the groups who forced him to close his stores are beyond the reach of the law. “The government cannot stop them. There are a number of groups that the government has no control over,” he said.
Reporting by Mustafa Goran
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
