The Iraqi government has taken the decision to expel the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad and recall the republic's chargé d'affaires in Stockholm, as declared by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani, with his statement spread by INA agency.
Al-Sudani stated that he demanded the Ministry of foreign affairs to require the Swedish Ambassador, Jessica Svardstrom, to leave Iraq's territory, while also instructing the Iraqi chargé d'affaires in Stockholm to return to his homeland.
The prime minister's order to the Iraqi foreign Ministry clearly states that the government is requesting the Swedish ambassador to "leave Iraqi territory." This move comes in response to the Swedish government's repeated authorization of actions like burning the holy Quran, insulting Islamic shrines, and burning the Iraqi national flag.
Earlier, Swedish authorities had granted permission for a rally in Stockholm on July 20, where organizers intended to burn a copy of the Quran and the Iraqi national flag. However, during a TASS correspondent's report on the scene, it was noted that the man who organized the previous Quran-burning demonstration in late June kicked the holy book with his feet but did not burn it, causing protests in Muslim countries.
As a result of these developments, hundreds of protesters, predominantly supporters of Shiite Imam Muqtada al-Sadr's movement, stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday morning, setting fire to the diplomatic building.
Baghdad's security forces used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. The Iraqi foreign ministry condemned the actions of the protesters, and reports indicate that Iraqi law enforcement agencies have arrested 20 individuals suspected of involvement in setting fire to the Swedish embassy building.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Public Domain
Based on materials from TASS