Quran burning controversy: Protesters try to storm Baghdad's Green Zone

Image used for representational purpose. Pic/AFP

The situation in Baghdad escalated as hundreds of protesters attempted to storm the heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses foreign embassies and Iraq's government seat, reported AP.

The protest was sparked by reports of the burning of a Quran by an ultranationalist group in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen.

Security forces managed to block the protesters' path by preventing them from reaching the Danish Embassy. This incident came just two days after another group of protesters, angered by the planned burning of the Quran in Sweden, had stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. During that event, protesters occupied the embassy and displayed flags and signs related to Muqtada al-Sadr, a prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader. A small fire was also set during the occupation, and embassy staff had been evacuated earlier as a precaution.

In response to the Quran desecration, Iraq's prime minister decided to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden as a form of protest. The situation has caused widespread unrest, with thousands of people protesting peacefully in Iraq and other Muslim-majority countries.

On Friday, members of the ultranationalist group Danske Patrioter burned a copy of the Quran and an Iraqi flag in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen. This action triggered the protests in Baghdad overnight.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement condemning the incidents of Quran and flag desecration in front of the embassy in Denmark, urging the international community to respond responsibly to such actions that disrupt social peace and coexistence worldwide.

Despite the clashes and tensions, another protest is scheduled to take place in Baghdad at 6 pm, likely to continue the demonstrations in response to the recent events. The situation remains sensitive and may require further attention from authorities to ensure public safety and prevent further escalation.

In other news, earlier, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US would provide nearly $150 million in aid for areas in Syria and Iraq that were liberated from the Islamic State (ISIL) extremist group. He spoke at a ministerial conference hosted by Saudi Arabia on combatting the group, which no longer controls any territory - but whose affiliates still carry out attacks across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

(With AP inputs)