Tensions escalated between Iraq and Sweden on Thursday, leading to Iraq severing diplomatic relations. This action followed a demonstration in Stockholm where an individual desecrated the Quran and the Iraqi flag. Images circulated showing protesters storming the Swedish embassy in Baghdad for the second time in weeks, setting a small fire within the embassy compound.

The demonstrator in Stockholm, identified as Salwan Momika, an Iraqi Christian living in Sweden and self-proclaimed atheist, had previously threatened to burn the Quran but ultimately did not. This incident follows a prior event where Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during Eid al-Adha, sparking international condemnation.

Protesters scaled the walls of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday. (AP/Ali Jabar)

In response to the demonstration, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani expelled the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and recalled the Iraqi charge d’affaires from Sweden. Al-Sudani also vowed to prosecute those responsible for the arson at the embassy and investigate security officials for negligence. His government had previously warned Sweden that any further Quran burning incidents would result in severed diplomatic ties.

Furthermore, Iraq's Media and Communications Commission suspended the license of Swedish telecom company Ericsson, and the Ministry of Communications announced the termination of all dealings with Swedish companies.

Smoke billowed from the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday. (AP Photo)

The United States condemned the embassy attack, emphasizing the importance of peaceful assembly while denouncing the violence and criticizing Iraqi Security Forces for failing to prevent the breach.

Videos online revealed protesters at the embassy displaying flags and images of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed the safety of its embassy staff and condemned the attacks, highlighting the violation of the Vienna Convention. Finland's ambassador to Iraq reported the evacuation of Finnish and Swedish embassy staff prior to the incident.

Salwan Momika outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on Thursday, where he planned to desecrate a copy of the Quran and the Iraqi flag. (Oscar Olsson/TT via AP)

The Swedish Embassy in Iraq remains closed to visitors due to the repeated demonstrations, impacting services such as passport issuance.

These events follow a similar incident in late June where al-Sadr's followers stormed the Swedish embassy after a Quran burning in Stockholm.