2013 Camp Ashraf attack

2013 Camp Ashraf massacre
Location	Camp Ashraf, Iraq
Date	September 1, 2013
Deaths	52
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.^[1][2]

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."^[3]

Reactions

•  UN – In a statement, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said he "deplores the tragic events in Camp Ashraf."^[4] The UN human rights office and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also condemned the attack.^[5]
•  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."^[6]
•  EU – High Representative of the European Union Catherine Ashton said, "I condemn in the strongest terms the killings that took place at Camp Ashraf."^[7]
•  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."^[8]
• Amnesty International – The human rights organization called for "the Iraqi authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation."^[9]

See also

• 2011 Camp Ashraf raid

References

1. "Envoys urge U.N. probe of massacre at Iranian exile camp in Iraq". Los Angeles Times. 19 September 2013.
2. "52 Iranian exiles killed at Iraq's Camp Ashraf". Washington Times. 1 September 2013.
3. "Exclusive: U.S. Fingers Iranian Commandos for Kidnapping Raid Inside Iraq". Foreign Policy. 17 December 2013.
4. "Secretary-General Deplores Deaths at Camp Ashraf in Iraq, Urging Investigation". United Nations. 1 September 2013.
5. "Iraq: UN human rights office, UN mission condemn attack on Camp Ashraf". UN News Centre. 3 September 2013.
6. "Situation at Camp Ashraf in Iraq". U.S. Department of State. 6 September 2013.
7. "Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton on the killing of residents at Camp Ashraf" (PDF). European Union. 2 September 2013.
8. "Foreign Office Minister condemns violence at Camp Ashraf, Iraq". Amnesty International. 2 September 2013.
9. "Iraq: Impartial investigation of Camp Ashraf deaths crucial". Amnesty International. 2 September 2013.