Protesters try to storm Baghdad Green Zone over Quran burning in Denmark

Hundreds of protesters have attempted to storm Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses foreign embassies and the seat of Iraq's government, following reports of the burning of a copy of the Quran carried out by an ultranationalist group in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen.

Protesters were pushed back early on Saturday by security forces, who blocked the Jumhuriya bridge leading to the Green Zone, preventing them from reaching the Danish Embassy.

On Friday, according to Danish media reports, 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 and live-streamed the action on Facebook.

The incident prompted protests in Baghdad overnight.

Chanting in support of the Iraqi Shia cleric and political leader, Muqtada al Sadr and carrying images of the prominent leader and the flag associated with his movement, along with the Iraqi flag.

In a statement on Saturday, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned "in strong and repeated terms, the incident of abuse against the holy Quran and the flag of the Republic of Iraq in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Denmark."

It called on the international community "to stand urgently and responsibly towards these atrocities that violate social peace and coexistence around the world,” the statement read.

Quran desecration in Sweden

The latest protest came two days after people angered by the planned burning of the Islamic holy book in Sweden stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad.

Protesters occupied the diplomatic post for several hours, waving flags and signs depicting Sadr, and setting a small fire.

The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier.

Hours later, Iraq’s prime minister cut diplomatic ties with Sweden in protest over the desecration of the Quran.