German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has decided to cancel his scheduled visit to Iraq and Jordan, as announced by a ministry spokesperson on Sunday. The cancellation comes in light of security concerns arising from the recent unrest following the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad being set on fire during a protest against Koran burnings.
The protests in Baghdad were sparked by the burning and damaging of the Koran during anti-Islam demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark, which have escalated tensions in the region.
Additionally, violent protests targeted a Danish non-governmental organization in Iraq, further escalating security concerns in the area. Considering the risk of further demonstrations in the upcoming days, German security forces advised the cancellation of the trip.
While the visit was intended to last several days, it has been postponed to a later date, possibly during the fourth quarter of the year, to ensure the safety of the minister and his delegation during these sensitive times.
