Thousands protest in Iraq against Saudi Shi’ite cleric execution

Protesters in Tehran set fire to the Saudi Embassy and the kingdom cut diplomatic relations with Iran, its Shi’ite regional rival. Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said “Daesh [ISIS] and those who are similar to them”, were behind the attacks and called upon the authorities “to chase the criminal gangs” responsible for the attacks.

The attack on the Ammar bin Yasir mosque in the northern outskirts of Hilla destroyed its dome and several walls, according to a Reuters TV cameraman who visited the site.

Demonstrations against the Nimr execution and Saudi Arabia are also being called for in the predominantly Shiite southern cities of Najaf and Basra Monday.

“After we heard the explosion, we went to its source and found that IEDs (improvised explosive devices) had been planted in the mosque”, an unnamed Iraqi police officer said.

The execution on Saturday sparked outrage across the Shiite world and beyond, with leaders accusing Saudi Arabia of attempting to stoke tensions across the region.

After the execution, Iraqi Shiite officials and politicians condemned the implementation of the death sentence against al-Nimr and accused Saudi Arabia of intending to fuel sectarian strife in the region. Bahrain, the Shi’ite-majority Gulf state ruled by a Sunni family, followed suit on Monday.

The embassy was reopened on Friday after being closed since 1990, when former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, promoting Riyadh to cut ties with Baghdad.

Asaib Ahl al-Haq, a powerful Shi’ite militia backed by Iran, on Monday warned the government against inaction.

The crowd, which had gathered near one of the entrances to the fortified “Green Zone” where the Saudi embassy is located, threatened to force its way in but was held back by organisers and riot police.