Demolition of shops at Kâmile market in Baghdad draws residents' complaints

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A demolition and clearance campaign targeting shops at a popular market in the Kâmile neighborhood of Baghdad has prompted complaints from residents. Locals said the units carrying out the campaign began the demolition within hours, even though officials had warned that clearance would take place within a 48-hour window. Residents reported that merchandise and food products belonging to some shopkeepers were damaged during the operation. They pointed to the gap between the written warning period and the actual implementation of the clearance decision. Traders and residents have called on the relevant authorities to provide compensation or support for the damaged goods. Officials said the demolition and clearance were carried out on legal grounds, according to local accounts. The incident has renewed debate over the impact of the campaign on the livelihoods of small merchants in Kâmile.