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
Lebanese Ministry of Health: Final toll from airstrike on car in Zebdine, Nabatieh District: Two martyrs, four injured
Egyptian media: Indirect talks between Hamas and Israelis begin in Sharm el-Sheikh.
AFP: France's new PM Sebastein Lecornu resigns just hours after unveiling cabinet.
Trump: Technical teams will meet again on Monday in Egypt to discuss and clarify the final details, and the first phase is scheduled to be completed this week
US President Donald Trump: Talks with Hamas have been very successful and are moving at a rapid pace
Local sources in Aleppo: Violent clashes erupt between the SDF and factions affiliated with the transitional authority on the Deir Hafer and Tishrin Dam fronts in the eastern Aleppo countryside
Israeli media: Interceptor missiles fired in an attempt to shoot down the drone
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded amid suspected "enemy aircraft" infiltrating the Eilat area
Israeli media: "Israel" won the battle but lost the war strategically and politically
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen

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

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Hezbollah's representative in Iran, Sayyed Abdullah Safieddine, during an interview with Al Mayadeen which aired on October 6, 2025 (Al Mayadeen)
Politics

Tehran never interferes in Hezbollah decisions: Representative in Iran

Smoke billows over the Gaza Strip following an Israeli bombardment, as seen from southern Palestine, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Indirect talks for a ceasefire in Gaza begin in Sharm El-Sheikh: Egypt

Fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) prepare to attend a military parad in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Tuesday, August 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Security forces seal Aleppo’s Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh districts

Amsterdam Captain Mohammed Ali Mohiuddin, who took part in the Global Sumud mission to Gaza, talks to Al Mayadeen on October 6, 2025 (Screengrab)
Politics

GSF captain says despite abuse, 'Israel weaker than spider's web'

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