Reuters reported from Rome that Iran opposition leader rejected a U.S. plan for relocating Ashraf residents in Iraq, saying the plan would lead to a massacre.”
“In April, the camp was the scene of clashes between residents and Iraqi security forces, during which 34 people were killed, according to a U.N. investigation,” Reuters said.
“’In order to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe, the United Nations must step in,’ PMOI leader Maryam Rajavi told Reuters in an interview late on Tuesday.”
Reuters’ report added that Rajavi called for a permanent monitoring team backed by the United Nations and the European Union to be set up at the camp to ensure the safety of the residents.
“The U.S. has a legal and moral responsibility to protect the residents of Camp Ashraf,” she said.
Reuters said: “Iraqi authorities said the clashes in April broke out after security forces responded to rock-throwing and threats by residents during an operation to reclaim land from the camp and return it to farmers. Following the clashes, U.S. officials drew up a plan to relocate the camp’s residents to a site to be chosen by the Iraqi government.”
According to Reuters, Rajavi said Iraq was acting under pressure from Iran, which wants to destroy the group.
“If such a displacement took place, they would go to a place which is not known to the international community, they would lose their communications and they would be further isolated. It would lay the ground for their massacre,” Reuters quoted her as saying.
