Sweden and Türkiye have seen tensions rise amid a diplomatic conflict that has sparked protests and demonstrations in both nations. However, outrage erupted in Türkiye after Danish activist Rasmus Paludan set fire to the Koran, the Muslim holy book, outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm on January 21.
Those in Istanbul and Ankara protested the act, criticizing Sweden for its “state-supported Islamophobia”.
Türkiye canceled a visit by Swedish defense minister al Khonson to Ankara as things between the countries worsened after the Quran incident. The nation holds the Swedish authorities responsible for allowing the protest to take place.
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On January 22, protesters in Ankara carried banners proclaiming their faith and criticizing actions in Sweden. “We condemn Sweden’s state-supported Islamophobia,” read one sign, while a sign on the window of the Swedish consulate read “We do not share the opinion of that book-burning idiot.”
The two countries have been at odds since Türkiye delayed offers by Sweden and Finland to join NATO amid Russian special military operations in Ukraine. Türkiye, an existing member, delayed its offers seeking certain conditions, including the deportation of critics of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and recognition of the Kurds as terrorists.
While Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in a January 21 tweet that while freedom of expression is crucial, “what is legal is not necessarily appropriate,” the protests are likely to reduce Türkiye’s chances. to support Sweden’s candidacy.
Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. Burning books that are sacred to many is a deeply disrespectful act. I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what happened in Stockholm today.
— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) January 21, 2023
the kurdish problem
Türkiye, when it calls Kurds terrorists, is referring to the Kurdish Workers’ Party, or PKK, which is a Kurdish Marxist separatist movement, which has been in conflict with Turkish forces on and off since the 1980s. classified as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, along with the US, Canada, the European Union and Australia. However, Ann Linde, who served as Sweden’s Foreign Minister, noted that Sweden was one of the first countries to classify the PKK as a terrorist group.
Due to the wide spread #disinformation about ???????? and PKK, we would like to remind you that the ???????? Government of Olof Palme was the first after ???????? to classify the PKK as a terrorist organization, already in 1984. The EU did the same in 2002, when Anna Lindh was ???????? FM. This position remains unchanged.
—Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) May 20, 2022
Türkiye’s bone of contention is Sweden’s liberal policies towards Kurdish asylum seekers and, in particular, towards political refugees. Some Kurds also hold seats in Sweden’s government, though the nation has denied supporting anyone in the PKK.
However, Sweden has supported the political wing of the PKK-PYD, saying that they are different, while Türkiye insists that they are the same. Sweden also supports the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), the political wing of the SDF, a Kurdish-led militia group the United States created to fight ISIS in Syria.
I appreciate the candid discussion with SDC’s Ilham Ahmad on the situation in northeast Syria. Sweden remains an active partner. pic.twitter.com/MtKt6Eq9eD
—Ann Linde (@AnnLinde) December 10, 2021
Türkiye, however, maintains that the SDC is overrun by PKK terrorists.
The Kurds or Kurds are often called the world’s largest homeless ethnic group. Following the founding of the current state of Türkiye in 1923, the group has faced persecution in many cases. Various Kurdish groups have sought autonomy and statehood for decades, but some like the PKK have done so violently.
(With inputs from the agency)
