Samiksha Jaiswal (Editor)

2013 Camp Ashraf attack

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Location
  
Camp Ashraf, Iraq

Deaths
  
52

Date
  
September 1, 2013 (2013-09-01)

Victims
  
People's Mujahedin of Iran

Suspected perpetrators
  
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Kata'ib Hezbollah Asaib Ahl al-Haq

On 1 September 2013, an attack on the Camp Ashraf refugee camp of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and left 52 PMOI members dead. Initially, Iraqi security forces were believed to be responsible for the assault.

On 17 December 2013, Foreign Policy magazine revealed that "U.S. intelligence officials believe that Iranian commandos took part" in the attack "and then spirited seven members of the group back to Iran." Specifically, U.S. officials say that members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps "helped plan and direct the assault on the camp... Gunmen from two of Tehran's Iraqi-based proxies, Kata'ib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, then carried out the actual attack." Regarding Iraqi involvement, a U.S. official said, "Iraqi soldiers didn't get in the way of what was happening at Ashraf, but they didn't do the shooting."

Reactions

  •  UN – In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said he "deplores the tragic events in Camp Ashraf." The UN human rights office and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also condemned the attack.
  •  US – The U.S. State Department condemned "the horrific attack." The statement added, "We also note the troubling statements issued by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) praising the attack, and call on the Government of Iran to use whatever influence it might have with groups that may be holding missing persons from the camp to secure their immediate release."
  •  EU – High Representative of the European Union Catherine Ashton said, "I condemn in the strongest terms the killings that took place at Camp Ashraf."
  •  UK  Foreign Minister Alistair Burt stated, "I am appalled to hear of the violence at Camp Ashraf in Iraq, which we understand has resulted in the death of many camp residents. We condemn this utterly, and our thoughts go out to the families of the victims."
  • Amnesty International – The human rights organization called for "the Iraqi authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation."

    • References

    2013 Camp Ashraf attack Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA