An Iraqi security source reported today, Monday, that a restaurant in Baghdad was targeted with an explosive device, marking the third such incident within hours. The source, in statements relayed by the Iraqi news agency “Shafaq News,” said that a locally made explosive device planted near the “Lazy Jelly House” restaurant on Palestine Street exploded early this morning without causing any injuries, noting only material damages.
According to the agency, unknown individuals targeted two restaurants belonging to the American fast-food chain “KFC” yesterday—the first in the Palestine Street area, and the second within the Karrada-62 area in the capital, Baghdad.
The recent string of explosions in Iraq includes attacks on both military and civilian targets. On April 20, 2024, a significant explosion occurred at the Kalso military base in Iraq’s Babil Province, which resulted in at least one fatality and multiple injuries. The base is used by the Popular Mobilization Forces, an Iranian-backed Iraqi militia, and the explosions led to considerable material damage. No external forces, including the US, have been implicated in these attacks, as they have denied involvement.
In a separate incident, there were multiple explosions near the U.S. Consulate in Erbil, Iraq, earlier in January. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for these attacks, which they described as targeting “headquarters of spies” and “anti-Iranian terrorist gatherings.” Four people were killed and six were injured during these attacks, though no US facilities were damaged
