Protesters storm Swedish Embassy in Baghdad after man threatens to burn Quran in Stockholm

Jul 21, 20230

Hadi Mizban, Associated Press count

Iraqis throw stones during clashes with security forces in front of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, July 20, 2023. The protest was in response to the burning of Quran in Sweden.

BAGHDAD - Protesters angered by an Iraqi man in Sweden who threatened to burn a copy of the Quran stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad early Thursday, overrunning the diplomatic compound and starting a fire.

Hours later, Iraq's prime minister cut diplomatic ties with Sweden in protest over the desecration of the Islamic holy book.

Protesters occupied the diplomatic post for several hours, waving flags and signs showing the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr, and setting a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier.

https://www.startribune.com/protesters-storm-swedish-embassy-in-baghdad-after-man-threatens-to-burn-quran-in-stockholm/600290951/