The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has temporarily suspended operations at its embassy in Baghdad and its consular office in Erbil due to ongoing security challenges. Diplomatic functions have been relocated to Stockholm pending an improvement in conditions within Iraq.
The decision follows a series of incidents linked to the death of Salwan Momika in Sweden on December 29, 2023. Prior to his death, a protest had taken place outside the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, exacerbating tensions between the two nations.
A senior Iraqi government official confirmed that the closure was a unilateral decision by the Swedish authorities, primarily prompted by concerns over the safety of diplomatic personnel. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that the embassy and consular office could resume operations once the situation stabilizes.
The Swedish government has reiterated its commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. These ties are deeply rooted in the significant Iraqi-origin community residing in Sweden, which numbers approximately 99,000 individuals out of a total population of 10.5 million.
Moving forward, Sweden intends to strengthen diplomatic engagement through enhanced trade and investment initiatives, fostering closer cooperation with both the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
