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Last Iranian dissidents leave Iraqi camp after violence Last Iranian dissidents leave Iraqi camp after violence
(6 days later)
The last remaining Iranian residents of a camp in eastern Iraq have been transferred to a base in Baghdad pending resettlement abroad, the United Nations has said, less than two weeks after a bout of violence that killed 52 people there.The last remaining Iranian residents of a camp in eastern Iraq have been transferred to a base in Baghdad pending resettlement abroad, the United Nations has said, less than two weeks after a bout of violence that killed 52 people there.
The dissidents belong to the Mujahadin-e-Khalq (MEK), which wants Iran's clerical leaders overthrown. They are no longer welcome in Iraq under the Tehran-aligned Shia Muslim-led government that replaced the late Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein.The dissidents belong to the Mujahadin-e-Khalq (MEK), which wants Iran's clerical leaders overthrown. They are no longer welcome in Iraq under the Tehran-aligned Shia Muslim-led government that replaced the late Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein.
The MEK fought on Saddam's side during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and was given a camp by the strongman who was toppled by the US-led invasion of 2003.The MEK fought on Saddam's side during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war and was given a camp by the strongman who was toppled by the US-led invasion of 2003.
This month 52 dissidents were killed in violence at Camp Ashraf, which the MEK blamed on Iraqi army and special forces acting at Tehran's behest. Baghdad said the accusation was baseless and vowed to investigate what had happened.This month 52 dissidents were killed in violence at Camp Ashraf, which the MEK blamed on Iraqi army and special forces acting at Tehran's behest. Baghdad said the accusation was baseless and vowed to investigate what had happened.
"The tragic events of 1 September … were a sombre reminder of the necessity to conclude the final phase of the relocation process without further delay," the acting UN envoy to Iraq, Gyorgy Busztin, said in a statement."The tragic events of 1 September … were a sombre reminder of the necessity to conclude the final phase of the relocation process without further delay," the acting UN envoy to Iraq, Gyorgy Busztin, said in a statement.
"Resettlement outside Iraq is now the priority, and it is urgent that countries ready to host the residents come forward to accept them, providing them a safe future outside Iraq.""Resettlement outside Iraq is now the priority, and it is urgent that countries ready to host the residents come forward to accept them, providing them a safe future outside Iraq."
Seven camp residents went missing during the violence and remained unaccounted for, the United Nations said. MEK says they were taken hostage by Iraqi forces and have been flown to Amara province from where they will be extradited to Iran.Seven camp residents went missing during the violence and remained unaccounted for, the United Nations said. MEK says they were taken hostage by Iraqi forces and have been flown to Amara province from where they will be extradited to Iran.
Before the violence there were about 100 MEK Iranian exiles at Camp Ashraf. Most of its inhabitants were relocated last year to a former US military base in north-eastern Baghdad known as Camp Liberty, which has come under attack twice this year.Before the violence there were about 100 MEK Iranian exiles at Camp Ashraf. Most of its inhabitants were relocated last year to a former US military base in north-eastern Baghdad known as Camp Liberty, which has come under attack twice this year.
The US state department removed MEK from its list of terrorist organisations last year and the group is now seeking to recast itself as a mainstream opposition force.The US state department removed MEK from its list of terrorist organisations last year and the group is now seeking to recast itself as a mainstream opposition force.
The bloodshed on 1 September occurred hours after a mortar bomb attack on the camp, which MEK blamed on the Iraqi army. Two Iraqi security sources said army and special forces fired on residents who had stormed a post at the camp entrance.The bloodshed on 1 September occurred hours after a mortar bomb attack on the camp, which MEK blamed on the Iraqi army. Two Iraqi security sources said army and special forces fired on residents who had stormed a post at the camp entrance.
MEK, also known as the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, led a guerrilla campaign against the US-backed Iranian shah during the 1970s that included attacks on American targets.MEK, also known as the People's Mujahideen Organisation of Iran, led a guerrilla campaign against the US-backed Iranian shah during the 1970s that included attacks on American targets.
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