| 2013 Camp Ashraf massacre | |
|---|---|
| Part of Iraq Conflict | |
| Location | Camp Ashraf, Iraq |
| Date | September 1, 2013 |
| Deaths | 52 |
| Victims |  People's Mujahedin of Iran |
The 2013 Camp Ashraf massacre (also referred to as the September 1 massacre) was a suspected terrorist attack on the Camp Ashraf refugee camp of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI/MEK), leaving 52 PMOI members dead and 7 missing. Iraqi security forces were believed to be responsible for the assault, with guidance and support from the Iranian government.[1][2]
On 17 December 2013, Foreign Policy magazine stated that "U.S. intelligence officials believe that Iranian commandos took part" in the attack "and then spirited [away] seven members of the group back to Iran." U.S. officials said 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]
- ^ Williams, Carol J. (19 September 2013). "Envoys urge U.N. probe of massacre at Iranian exile camp in Iraq". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ^ Ashish Kumar Sen (1 September 2013). "52 Iranian exiles killed at Iraq's Camp Ashraf". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 7 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
- ^ Dreazen, Yochi (17 December 2013). "Exclusive: U.S. Fingers Iranian Commandos for Kidnapping Raid Inside Iraq". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.