FALCON POWERS – Iraq’s elite counter-terrorism forces, which helped defeat ISIS, have returned to patrolling the streets of Baghdad, but this time with a new mission – protecting American restaurants from what the Washington Post described as “angry vandals angered by the Gaza war”.
In recent weeks, Iraqi militias have targeted several American restaurants, believed to be helping fund the operations of the Israeli military in Gaza. Masked men attacked Kentucky Fried Chicken and the famous Lee restaurant. A militia statement said, “We reject the use of Iraqi territory for such investment projects.”
In response, the Iraqi authorities have deployed U.S.-trained counter-terrorism units across Baghdad to protect against further violence. Analysts say the government’s efforts aim to reassure foreign investors and signal to the groups that the security forces are in control.
Ali, a 23-year-old member of the counter-terrorism forces now stationed in the bustling Karrada neighborhood of central Baghdad, where many international restaurants are located, said: “It’s strange to be tasked with protecting a restaurant.” He added, “We are special forces, not bodyguards.”
The Washington Post article suggests that Iraq’s deployment of its elite counter-terrorism units to guard restaurants represents a shift from their original mission of combating terrorism to now protecting foreign commercial interests in the country.
