…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Expulsion of Swedish Ambassador and Embassy Break-In
Iraq has taken the decision to expel the Swedish ambassador and withdraw its own charge d’affaires from Sweden following an incident where a man desecrated a copy of the Quran in Stockholm.
The diplomatic tension escalated after protesters, angered by the planned burning of a Quran, stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, forcibly entering the compound and setting a small fire.
In response, the Swedish Embassy announced its closure to visitors.
Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani pledged to prosecute the arsonists and ordered an investigation into the security officials responsible for the breach.
Protest at Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm
During a protest at the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm, a man kicked and stood on a Quran while Swedish police watched without intervening.
Online videos captured the incident and showed demonstrators at the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad waving flags and signs depicting influential Shia cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr.
Footage revealed individuals climbing over the embassy’s fence and attempting to break down a front door.
Another video depicted a small fire being set, and some individuals were seen inside a room within the embassy compound.
Statements from Swedish and Iraqi Authorities
The Swedish Foreign Ministry stated that its embassy staff were safe, condemning all attacks on diplomats and staff from international organizations.
The ministry emphasized that such attacks on embassies and diplomats represent a serious violation of the Vienna Convention, placing the responsibility on Iraqi authorities to protect diplomatic missions and staff.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack, vowing to conduct an urgent investigation to determine the circumstances and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Efforts to Contain the Situation
As daybreak arrived, security officials gathered at the embassy while small plumes of smoke lingered. Firefighters worked to extinguish the flames from a fire truck ladder.
Some protesters remained at the scene, holding placards featuring al-Sadr’s face, seemingly undisturbed by the police.
The Swedish news agency reported that Swedish police had approved a demonstration application, permitting two protesters to burn a Quran and the Iraqi flag outside the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm.
Background on Quran Burnings and Prior Embassy Incident
Burning the Quran is viewed as a blasphemous act by Muslims, deeply disrespectful towards their religion’s sacred text.
Previous instances of Quran burnings have sparked widespread protests across the Muslim world, often resulting in violence.
Last month, an Iraqi Christian immigrant burned a Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, leading to condemnation throughout the Islamic world.
Earlier this year, a far-right activist staged a similar protest outside Turkey’s Embassy, complicating Sweden’s efforts to join NATO.
In June, supporters of al-Sadr stormed the embassy in Baghdad during daylight hours in response to that incident.
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