The seizure of Camp Ashraf, which was disarmed by the United States in 2003 and surrounded by U. S. forces until recently, comes after months of a tense standoff at the base north of Baghdad..It also coincided with a visit to Iraq by U. S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates,..About 60 members of Iraq’s security forces were also wounded, 20 seriously, he said, adding that 50 camp residents were detained.
The Iraqi government has denied that any members of an anti-Iranian terrorist group were killed during a Tuesday raid on its base in northern Baghdad. Earlier reports said between four to eight residents had been killed when Iraqi security forces stormed Camp Ashraf – the base of the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO).
US officials are reportedly “not happy” with the situation unfolding in the MEK’s Camp Ashraf, following yesterday’s raids by Iraqi forces. Today, the Iraqi government says that it plans to close the camp down entirely..Though the MEK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the US State Department, it has a complex relationship with the US. The Saddam-backed group has supplied the US with considerable information regarding Iran
“We continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the residents of Camp Ashraf are treated in accordance with Iraq’s written assurances that it will treat the residents there humanely,”Kelly told reporters at his daily press briefing in Washington on Tuesday.”This is in accordance with the constitution, laws, and international obligations of Iraq,”he said.
The Iraqi government refuted suggestions today that Iranian pressure had prompted a raid on a camp belonging to an Iranian opposition group, saying that Iraqi security forces are merely seeking to extend sovereignty over all Iraqi territory…The Mujahedin Khalq (MEK), a militant group that has long opposed the Iranian government, claimed that seven of its members died in clashes with Iraqi security forces after Iraqi police attempted to
“After the failure of negotiations with the Mujahedeen[MKO/MEK/PMOI] to enter peacefully, the Iraqi army entered Camp Ashraf with force and it now controls all of the interior and all entrances to the camp,”an Iraqi military source said. ..Iraqi soldiers and riot police stormed a camp housing Iran’s main exiled opposition on Tuesday, triggering violent clashes that left at least 260 people wounded. ..About 60 members of Iraq’s security forces were also wounded, 20 seriously, he said, adding that 50 camp residents were detained..
A government spokesperson on Tuesday dismissed news that Iraqi forces had broken into Camp Ashraf earlier today, saying they entered the camp to enforce security within handover measures..The entrance of the Iraqi forces into Camp Ashraf is not a break-in, but rather a well-coordinated operation to stabilize the security situation inside the camp, which is an Iraqi land that cannot be outside Iraqi sovereignty,” Spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh
Iraqi security forces have stormed the base of the anti-Iranian terrorist group the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization. An Iraqi military official has said that Iraqi forces have taken complete control of the camp..An Iraqi military official has said that Iraqi forces have taken complete control of the camp. MKO spokesman Shahriar Kia said that four people were killed and 300 wounded when Iraqi soldiers and police stormed Camp Ashraf on Tuesday
Mr. Manouchehr Saiee succeeded to release himself from the bars of Rajavis’ Cult and returned to his homeland and joined his family. After 17 years of being captive of Rajavis’ Cult[MKO,MEK,PMOI], Mr. Manouchehr Saiee could visit his family and returned to his warm family center at Nejat Society office, Kermanshah branch.Mr. Saiee declared that during these 17 years, I was imprisoned and tortured several times and at last I could manage to release myself from Mujahedin Terrorist Organization.
Richard Armitage, US former deputy Secretary of State in an interview with PBS TV Channel, criticizing the dual policies of US with regard to the Issue of terrorism said:” During US invasion to Iraq, there were some in the administration, who wanted to use the Mujahideen-e Khalq as a pressure tool against Iran, and I can remember the national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, being very specific about it, saying no, a terrorist group is a terrorist group