The Attack at Camp Ashraf
EmailJake Tapper and Kirit Radia report:
Across the street from the White House for the last 16 days sit Iranians on a hunger strike, demanding justice for the victims of the attack on Camp Ashraf in Iraq – an incident few Americans know anything about.
So what’s the issue?
Since 1986, Camp Ashraf has been home to more than three thousand members or supporters of the Iranian opposition group the People’s Mujahedin of Iran, also known as Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK). Camp Ashraf was permitted to stand during the reign of Saddam Hussein and when Iraq was under U.S. control.
Saddam allowed them to be there because they shared the goal of overthrowing the Iranian government; the US found the dissident group a useful source of information about elements of Iran's nuclear program, and so though MEK is still designated a terrorist organization by the State Department,US forces awarded Camp Ashraf residents protected status after residents renounced terrorism and surrendered their weapons.
Last September, Gen. David Petraeus told reportersthat the Iraqi government had assured the US that Camp Ashraf’s protected status would remain.
But as the Iraqi government has taken control over its country and formed closer ties with the Iranian government, Iraqi government officials have in recent months stated that Camp Ashraf residents need to leave the country.
On July 28, Iraqi forces – using U.S. weaponry and vehicles – stormed into the camp and killed nine residents. Brandishing batons, tear gas, and water cannons, the Iraqi forces beat residents, apparently driving purposefully into crowds. Hundreds were injured and 36 were detained and, according to Amnesty International have been “subjected to beatings and torture” in a nearby police station.
“Some are in need of medical treatment due to injuries, including as a result of torture and gunshot wounds,” says the human-rights group. “The detainees are reported to have been told to sign documents in Arabic but to have refused. They have been denied access to lawyers of their choice and have launched a hunger strike in protest against their detention and ill-treatment.”
(There is some graphic video purporting to be of the aftermath of the attack that can be seen HERE.)
Amnesty International fears that the Iraqi government will transfer the 36 Iranian dissidents to the government of Iranian president Mahmous Ahmadinejad, and they will be tortured and executed.
On Thursday evening, roughly three dozen protesters gathered across the street from the White House, most of them Iranian Americans, many with relatives from the camp. They were frustrated with Obama administration inaction.
"Obama is doing zero, quite frankly," said Al Arza, one of the protester, originally from Ahwaz, Iran.
Arza, who works in stocks and investments and now resides in Los Angeles, Calif., says he's disappointed because he voted for the president.
"He doesn't stand for basic human values," Arza said. "He doesn't say killing is wrong, abductions are wrong. Quite frankly, I want my vote back."
Farideh Goldarre of Tehran currently works as a seam-mistress in the U.S. She begins to cry as she describes how she hasn't been able to reach her step-brother, Mohammed Kashani, 60, since the attack.
"The United States forgot and broke the agreement … to protect any innocent person or group that's not safe after the occupation of Iraq," said Goldarre.
What does the Obama administration have to say?
“We regret what happened at Camp Ashraf and the loss of life and injury that occurred, even as we understand the government of Iraq desiring to extend its sovereignty into that camp,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said today. “We understood what they were trying to do. They did not do it well. There are obviously, you know, ramifications of that, and we continue to talk to Iraq about what should be done with respect to this group going forward.”
A similar hunger strike is going on outside the U.S. Embassy in London.
-Jake Tapper and Kirit Radia
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We regret what happened at Camp Ashraf and the loss of life and injury that occurred, even as we understand the government of Iraq desiring to extend its sovereignty into that camp,” State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said today. “We understood what they were trying to do. They did not do it well. There are obviously, you know, ramifications of that, and we continue to talk to Iraq about what should be done with respect to this group going forward.”
He could have said “Nothing” and saved his breath.
Posted by: The Usual | August 13, 2009, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
The continued triumph of talk, talk, talk.
Posted by: undercoverconservative | August 13, 2009, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
Maybe they’d like to move into Gitmo.
Posted by: Bridget | August 13, 2009, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm
Excellent piece. That the Iraqi government, or at least the dominant faction, is a tool in the hands of the Iranian regime is all too obvious. I wonder whether we sacrificed nearly 5,000 of our children in Iraq and disreputed America to get this? And what is worse, is that our soldiers stood by and watched unarmed Ashraf residents whose contribution has been vital to restoring calm and security to Diyala Province and getting the insurgents to lay down their arms and joing the political process, get slaughter by troops, which we spent billions to “train”, arm and finance.
How can President Obama remain silent. Has he not learned anything from his timid response to the slaughter of hundreds in Tehran streets in June?
What a shame!
Alex
Posted by: Alex George | August 13, 2009, 10:02 pm 10:02 pm
“And what is worse, is that our soldiers stood by and watched”
It’s hard to tell, at times, which side people are on. How can one rail against the death of our soldiers, while simultaneously complaining that they don’t get more involved?
Understand I’m not attacking you – I don’t know your actual position. I just find it odd that so many people argue in this way.
Posted by: AtheistConservative | August 13, 2009, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm
I don’t know much about Iraq-Iran relations, or about Islamic pissing contests, but I’m wondering whether Obama has a cynical objective in this. Does he actually want Iraq to destabilize and fall under the influence of Iran?
@The Usual: the State Department never remains silent about anything. Their entire role in life is to obfuscate, which involves the use of the human voice.
@Alex George: Of course they would like to move to Gitmo. They would be treated well there, and they could always hope to be transferred to some Western country.
@Atheist Conservative: “And what is worse, is that our soldiers stood by and watched.” Our soldiers may be the only ones on earth who do not have their own agenda. They obey the orders of the commander-in-chief. And that would be …
Posted by: Pink Pig | August 14, 2009, 12:17 am 12:17 am
Thank you Jake Tapper and Kirit Radia for covering this story at the time many media and US government ignore or have no interest covering these people’s story.
When I was there many American service men came along and thank these people for what they are doing and they were well aware of situation.
You explained the complex problem very well, I couldn’t do it better. The only thing I want to add is that the US government says Iraq is a sovereign country, to hide their direct responsibility behind this. Everybody knows Iraq is sovereign by American view but united with Iranian government under very American eyes and freedom and democracy is under jeopardizing under very American eyes. They are responsible for these crimes that Iraqi government is doing, they may close their eyes today, same way they closed their eyes when Iraqi government fell into the hands of Iranian agents, but when they open their eyes there would be no free Iraq and they have to pay a higher price for their mistakes.
Posted by: saeid | August 14, 2009, 1:13 am 1:13 am
Alex George Said: “How can President Obama remain silent. Has he not learned anything from his timid response to the slaughter of hundreds in Tehran streets in June?”
=======================================
You apparently don’t understand the religious-political ties that exist between Iran and the new regime in Iraq, which President Bush’s actions helped to develop.
1. Iran and Iraq are the two largest Shia’ (Shi’ite) Islamic countries in the world. They are “close cousins” when it comes to their religious beliefs. Most other Islamic countries are Sunni.
2. When G.W. Bush toppled the dictator, Saddam Hussein (a Sunni), the Shias came to power in Iraq… i.e., permitting the religious cousins of Iran to gain power in a country that once helped keep the government of Iran in “check mate”.
3. Our ultimate goal was to give Iraq “sovereignity”, which we did.
4. Yes, we have an agreement with Iraq that they would continue to maintain the security of Camp Ashraf… but do you really expect the religious cousins of Iran who are now in power in Iraq, placed there by G.W. Bush, to keep their promises?
5. The fact that G.W. Bush toppled the Sunni regime in Iraq only meant one thing…. we assisted in making the Iranian span of control into Iraq stronger, not weaker.
Mark my words…. as we withdraw from Iraq, you will see more and more of these types of incidents.
Posted by: X-Republican Because of Bush | August 14, 2009, 3:51 am 3:51 am
mister obama please wake up !!
Posted by: behrooz | August 14, 2009, 5:27 am 5:27 am
Thanks Jake and Kirit
Violation of human rights should be condemned anywhere in the world.It was a brutal attack.We expect more from State Department.More action needed against the dictator regime in Iran.
Posted by: Hamid Radan | August 14, 2009, 7:49 am 7:49 am
Iranian Bassiji + Iraqi police forces = savages, thugs, animals, barbarians, war criminals, murderers… the list goes on. Look at how they beat and murder Camp Ashraf residents, every one of whom has their hands held up high and open, empty-handed. They are pelted with rocks and hosed down with boiling water cannons. They are shot and beaten with wooden planks, metal rods and axes. They are murdered with bullets and sprayed with chemical irritants. For what crimes? What provocation occured to “justify” these attacks?
And the US says “We regret what happened at Camp Ashraf… We understood what they [the Iraqis] were trying to do. They did not do it well.”
The US administration and President Obama, in my opinion = liars, hypocrites, cowards, complicit with war criminals.
Shame on you Obama. Shame on the US administration, for not defending basic human rights. Shame on you for letting the genocide happen. Shame on you for staying silent almost three weeks on, whilst Camp Ashraf is still under siege and facing a further genocide.
Posted by: Hoda | August 14, 2009, 8:18 am 8:18 am
Thank you Jake and Kirit for pushing the issue. This adminstration has been a total disapointment to me so far. There has to be a limit in playing politics, people are being killed and badly injured because of this never ending appeasement policy.
Please keep adminstration feet to the fire and demand an answer from them. We don’t want another Rwanda/ Sabra & Shatila .. situations that we stood by and didn’t do any thing.
Thanks again for being on Iranian people side.
Posted by: Matt | August 14, 2009, 9:17 am 9:17 am
Thanks Jake and Kirit
Thanks for the coverage and questioning the Obama Administration. As a responsible citizen I would like to express my highest salute to you and your colleague for this bravery.
As an American citizen I feel shame to my self to witness the Silence and inaction of the Obama Administration to
perform their duty as a free world leader. The American government must fulfill their obligation and honor the commitment on the contract they signed with each (MEK) individual members. Let’s not forget leaving Mr. Maliki open handed in Iraq will further stabilize situation in Iraq in contrary it will escalate to destabilize the situation and will provide the ground to all other minority group to not trust the US or the Maleki government.
The US has an obligation to ensure that the Maliki Government show absolute respect for human right.
Posted by: mohammad | August 14, 2009, 10:20 am 10:20 am
we must do something for these people
they are defenseless and US has responsibility towards them because it was US who guaranteed their protection against Iranian regime so do something- quick – President Obama must keep his promise – he wanted change everywhere and he said he is for freedom of everyone, OK then this is his test. we will see.
Posted by: sunnaz | August 14, 2009, 11:17 am 11:17 am
First I like to thank Jake and Kirit. If our president Obama closed his eyes on the inhuman act on comp Ashraf we have some reporter like you that tell the truth. US government ignore or have no interest covering these people’s story. our secretary of state Clinton did not like to take side between Iraqi government crime and victims(people in Camp Ashraf).
What a shame!
Posted by: Batool | August 14, 2009, 11:56 am 11:56 am
-Mark my words…. as we withdraw from Iraq, you will see more and more of these types of incidents.-
You bet. Trigger fingers are itchy. Everybody knows the US is leaving. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but at some point, we’ll be gone or on desert bases outside of the cities with no orders to get involved in “internal issues.” Then scores will be settled.
And to the person who asked about Iran-Iraq relations: They HATE each other. Arabs and Persians always have and always will.
Posted by: Teddy | August 14, 2009, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm
“You apparently don’t understand the religious-political ties that exist between Iran and the new regime in Iraq, which President Bush’s actions helped to develop.”
Yet another mistake left uncorrected and apparently uncared about…
Posted by: Irresponsible | August 14, 2009, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
Thanks to both of you responsible journalists for reporting about this terrible situation and about the fact that it was largely ignored by the American government and the American media at large. What a shame!
I admire the protestors who are trying to shine a spotlight on the Camp Ashraf situation. We need to speak out in defense of these people and the dire circumstances in which they find themselves.
Posted by: moderate | August 14, 2009, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
The more I get information on the events in ashraf,the more I realise the truth and how people in ashraf are great,it’s a real pity ,instead of the having these brave people in our country who would built up their country all these plans and brutality comes from regime in Iran who are real terroristes.
Posted by: khatib | August 14, 2009, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm
Thanks for breaking the American news Ice on the subject. I can’t tell you how upsetting Obama administration’s indifference toward unbearable events in Ashraf has been. I’ll bet my salary on witnessing the time when they will see the connection between uprising in Iran and events in Ashraf. I am afraid then will have been too late.
Posted by: FD | August 14, 2009, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm
Thanks very much to the reporter who worte this article in a time that most American media have been quiet about this crime that has happened to residents of Camp Ashraf, the best people on the planet.
How American amdninstration can close their eyes on such crime and does not say anything, shame on Mr. Obam who came for chnage, is it the change that Mr. obam was talking and promoting it? Shame Shame on Mr. Obam who lives with close eyes.
Posted by: sarah | August 17, 2009, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
Hello from miles away. Your article rose my curiosity in regrad to these people so on my last visit to D.C., I actually made the effort to go and speak to a few of them. As a native of Iran, I should applaude their determination and love for peace and democracy. I hope US government will try harder to understand their concerns and make itself obliged to its obligations towards the promises it has made. Hats off for Jake and Kirit for their awakening touch on this issue.
Posted by: Reza | August 19, 2009, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm
As I write this comment, the protesters across from the white house are in their 31st day of hunger strike. The White House and the U.S. have done little in trying to address their legitimate concerns.
Some of the hunger strikers have lost as much as 30-40 pounds. 3 have so far been taken for medical care.
To all who care, and to off course to ABC: lets urge Obama to at least listen.
Iraqi government should not be allowed to violate basic human right, its laws, and basic notions of humanity especially after 4300 U.S. lives were sacrificed.
Posted by: ahmad | August 29, 2009, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm