BAGHDAD, June 3 (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces

cracked down on rioters in Baghdad who were attacking a KFC ( YUM ) on

Monday, wounding three with live fire and detaining at least 12,

security and medical sources told Reuters.

The attack on a KFC ( YUM ) on the city's Palestine Street is at

least the third in just over a week and was reported just as a

senior official in the Iran-backed Iraqi armed group Kataib

Hezbollah released a statement calling on Iraqis to "boycott and

expel" U.S. brands.

The attack caused significant damage but no injuries to

staff or customers, the sources said.

The store was opened by Americana Group, the Middle East and

North Africa franchisee of fast-food restaurants KFC ( YUM ) and Pizza

Hut. Americana did not immediately respond to a request for

comment.

Iraqi security forces did not immediately comment on Monday

night's attacks.

The KFC brand, previously known as Kentucky Fried Chicken,

is owned by U.S.-based Yum! Brands ( YUM ).

Iraq has been trying to encourage foreign businesses to set

up shop in the country amid a period of relative stability that

has at times been shaken by security incidents, including months

of tit-for-tat attacks between Iran-backed armed groups and U.S.

forces.

Western brands in many parts of the world have been facing

boycotts and other protests during the Israel-Hamas war,

reflecting public anger over Israel's military operation that

has killed more than 36,000 people in Gaza, according to health

authorities there, and caused a humanitarian crisis.

The war began when Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct.

7, killing 1,200 people and abducting some 250 others, of whom

some 120 remain in Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.