Protesters closed the KFC restaurant in eastern Baghdad on Monday evening. A security source told "Baghdad Today" that the protesters "closed the KFC restaurant on Palestine Street and attempted to storm it," noting that "security forces tried to disperse the protesters using live ammunition." The Ministry of Interior issued strict directives to protect restaurants, especially those with American affiliations, and penalized the security force responsible for protecting areas that experienced attacks on some restaurants in recent days.
The security media cell in Iraq denied reports of road and bridge closures in Baghdad following protests in the eastern part of the capital. A statement from the security media mentioned that "some social media sites circulated news about (closures of several roads and bridges in Baghdad) on Monday evening, and we would like to point out that no orders have been issued to close any area or bridge." The statement confirmed that "all roads are open, including those leading to Karrada and Palestine Street."
