Erbil, Kurdish region of northern Iraq β A massage parlour in Baghdad was raided late on Thursday night, possibly by an armed group with ties to the government umbrella organisation Popular Mobilisation Forces PMF. A separate video showed the same men outside the parlour hitting two women. Later on Friday, they issued a new statement on Telegram, denying they were involved in the storming of the massage parlour.
Massage parlours, known in Iraq for hiding illegal brothels, have been targeted by religious hardliners in the past. In , more than 20 female sex workers were killed in Baghdad in a brutal massacre carried out by such armed groups. They are also believed to be responsible for the recent attack on the Kurdistan Democratic Party offices in Baghdad and the shooting and wounding of a young Iraqi activist on Wednesday. According to local reports, a stun grenade was used in the vicinity of one of the many alcohol shops in that area, defacing the shop entrance and damaging a vehicle nearby.
Based on local media reports, more than 10 attacks were carried out on alcohol shops since October. By Sofia Barbarani. Published On 27 Nov 27 Nov Sponsored Content.
