Camp Ashraf is home to 3,400 members of the main Iranian opposition, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), and was violently attacked by Iraqi forces at the behest of the Iranian regime in late July. More than 11 people lost their lives and 36 were taken hostage by the Iraqi forces.
In their statements, Sheikh Feysal Houm al-Alivi, the leader of Neda tribe and Chairman of the National Iraqi Tribal Council, and Sheikh Valid Shaalan Ali of the al-Jami tribe in Iraq, demanded the immediate release of the hostages.
Sheikh al-Alivi said in his statement, “On behalf of myself and the Neda tribe, I call on the Iraqi government to take measures to release the refugees protected by the Geneva Conventions. Three weeks after a judge in Khalis court ruled for the 36 hostages from Ashraf to be released, as a result of political pressure from the government, the illegal detainment of the 36 refugees of Ashraf City is still in effect. Therefore, we call on the Iraqi government to immediately and unconditionally implement rulings by the Khalis court judge.”
The statement goes on to say, “The 36 hostages who have been wounded, beaten and injured, are continuing with their hunger strike and after seven weeks of enduring such a strike are risking death. We declare that the Iraqi government must acknowledge the independence of the Iraqi judicial branch and respect it. When the judicial branch is abused and impeded in its efforts, soon the rights and liberties of all citizens will be targeted.”
The Chair of Iraq’s National Tribal Council also added, “In view of the Iranian regime’s meddling in Iraq, it is the natural right of the residents of Ashraf to have a UN body to be stationed there to prevent the occurrence of what happened in July. … We adamantly invite all Iraqi and Arab nationalist and democratic forces and awaken consciences to use all their power and resources to become active and immediately intervene in this respect.”
Sheikh Valid Shaalan Ali of the al-Jami tribe in Iraq said in a separate statement, “The vicious raid against the defenseless residents of Ashraf has left a dark stain on the Iraqi government. In addition to insisting the illegality of preventing the release of the 36 hostages in Ashraf, we demand their immediate release.”
He added that the attack against Ashraf bears absolutely no relation to Iraqis and Arabs. The attack was a result of the influence of the Iranian regime’s proxies, he said.
“We once again call on the Iraqi government to immediately abide by the court ruling which requires the release of the hostages.”