Iraqi Prime Minister Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Sweden After Protesters Storm Embassy in Baghdad

Early Thursday morning, protesters stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, in response to a planned burning of a copy of the Islamic holy book in Stockholm, Sweden. Videos of the incident show demonstrators waving flags and signs showing the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr. During the protest, a small fire was set in the diplomatic post.

In response to the incident, the Swedish Embassy announced it had closed to visitors, without providing further details. The attack on the embassy came ahead of a planned burning of the Quran in Stockholm by an Iraqi asylum-seeker who burned a copy of the Islamic holy book during a previous demonstration last month.

Hours later, Iraq’s prime minister cut diplomatic ties with Sweden in protest over the desecration of the Islamic holy book. The Swedish government has since condemned the burning of the Quran and has stated that it does not condone any acts of hatred or intolerance.

The incident has sparked international outrage, with many calling for the Iraqi asylum-seeker to be held accountable for his actions. The Swedish government has yet to comment on the status of the asylum-seeker, or on the diplomatic ties with Iraq.