Iraq Expels Swedish Ambassador in Response to Koran Desecration in Stockholm
Tensions between Iraq and Sweden escalated on Thursday following a protest in Stockholm where an individual stomped on the Koran, weeks after he had burned pages of the Islamic holy book, sparking outrage across the Muslim world.
The news that Swedish authorities had allowed the protest to proceed on the grounds of free speech prompted hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators to storm and set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in a chaotic pre-dawn attack.
While the Iraqi government condemned the embassy attack, it retaliated against the protest in Stockholm by expelling the Swedish ambassador and vowing to sever ties. Furthermore, Iraq suspended the operating license of Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson.
During the protest outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani instructed the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave Iraqi territory. The decision came as a result of the Swedish government’s repeated permission for the burning of the Holy Koran, insulting Islamic sanctities, and burning the Iraqi flag, according to the Prime Minister’s office.
However, during the protest in Stockholm, the Swedish-based Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, 37, only stomped on the Koran and did not burn its pages as he had done last month outside Stockholm’s main mosque.
Similar incidents of far-right and other activists damaging or destroying religious symbols or books invoking free speech protections have occurred in Sweden and other European countries, often leading to protests.
The advance notice of the planned protest in Stockholm prompted hundreds of Iraqis to gather at the Baghdad embassy overnight, scaling walls and setting buildings on fire, as they had done in response to the Koran burning in June.
Followers of influential Shiite Muslim cleric and political leader Moqtada Sadr, the protesters clashed with Iraqi riot police, who used electric batons and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Protesters held up the Koran and portraits of Sadr and his late father, revered cleric Mohamed al-Sadr.
The situation calmed in the morning, with police blocking the road leading to the embassy. The extent of the fire damage remained unclear.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed that all of its employees in Baghdad were safe during the unrest. Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom condemned the attack on the embassy, calling it completely unacceptable. The United States also condemned the incident, expressing dissatisfaction with Iraqi security forces’ failure to prevent protestors from breaching the Swedish Embassy compound for the second time.
In response to the embassy attack, Iraq’s Prime Minister held an emergency meeting and strongly condemned the violence. Approximately 20 protesters were taken into custody.
The Iraqi government warned Sweden that allowing another incident involving the burning of the Holy Koran on Swedish soil would result in the severing of diplomatic relations. Swedish police had granted a permit for the protest based on legislation governing freedom of assembly and speech.
Salwan Momika previously burned pages of the Koran on June 28 outside Stockholm’s largest mosque during the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha, which caused outrage and prompted diplomatic protests from Muslim countries. Sadr’s followers briefly stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad the following day.
The influential cleric has frequently mobilized thousands of demonstrators, including during a dispute over the appointment of a new prime minister in 2022, when Sadr supporters invaded Baghdad’s parliament building and staged a weeks-long sit-in.
In conclusion, Iraq’s decision to expel the Swedish ambassador and suspend ties with Sweden comes as a response to the continuing desecration of the Koran, both in Sweden and Iraq. The incidents have heightened tensions between the two countries, straining diplomatic relations. Both sides have condemned the violence and vandalism perpetrated during the protests but have taken opposing actions to express their disapproval. The situation remains tense as the fallout from these events continues to unfold, raising concerns about potential further escalations.
