Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street

Iraq cuts ties with Sweden, expels ambassador over Quran burning

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 20 Jul 2023 16:28
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Iraq fulfills its vows and cuts ties with Sweden over its approval of yet another Quran burning despite warnings regarding the issue.

  • x
  • Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani sits for a portrait in his office in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (AP)
    Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani sits for a portrait in his office in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (AP)

The Iraqi government on Thursday expelled Sweden's ambassador to the country and severed its ties with Stockholm in response to the repeated Quran burnings in Sweden, which were permitted by the Swedish government.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani directed the Iraqi foreign ministry to summon the Iraqi Charge d'Affaires in Stockholm over the Swedish violations.

Moreover, the head of the media association in Iraq suspended the license of Swedish telecom company Ericsson on Iraqi soil following the Quran burning.

The Iraqi government said that these provocative acts are in violation of international conventions and norms with respect to religions and beliefs and constitute a threat to peace and incite a culture of violence and hatred.

After hundreds of people stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it ablaze in protest over plans for burning a copy of the Quran in Stockholm on Thursday, Iraq warned Sweden that it would sever diplomatic relations if a Quran is burned again.

Related News

Turkish man in UK fined for burning Quran

Quran-burning politician Paludan sentenced in Sweden for hate speech

The Iraqi government swiftly condemned the burning of the Swedish embassy, with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani saying in a statement that the action was a security breach, while vowing to provide the needed protection for diplomatic missions.

The statement, however, also revealed that Baghdad "informed the Swedish government [...] that any recurrence of the incident involving the burning of the Holy Quran on Swedish soil would necessitate severing diplomatic relations."

The Swedish authorities approved a protest on Thursday outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm whose organizers planned to burn a copy of the Quran and an Iraqi flag.  

Swedish media said Salwan Momika, who had previously burned a copy of the Quran on the Muslim Eid Al-Adha holiday and caused international outrage, organized the event in Stockholm on Thursday. In the wake of the news, Sweden's embassy in Iraq was set on fire by protesters ahead of a planned burning of the Quran in Sweden.  

The protest in Baghdad was organized by supporters of Iraqi Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada Al-Sadr, whereby riot police fired water cannons to disperse demonstrators alongside security forces who were armed with electric batons.

"We are mobilized today to denounce the burning of the Quran, which is all about love and faith," adding: "We demand that the Swedish government and the Iraqi government stop this type of initiative," protester Hassan Ahmad told AFP.

Read next: UN Human Rights Council condemns Quran burning

  • Quran
  • Iraq
  • Salwan Momika
  • Sweden
  • Holy Quran

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS