Camp Liberty, a former U.S. military base in the vicinity of Baghdad international Airport (BIAP) now home to Tehran’s regime dissidents, members of People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), was struck by a variety of missiles, on Thursday, October 29, 2015. The attack killed 24 residents and left scores wounded.
After gaining political power, in 1979, Iran regime having the “Islamic Caliphate” fantasy in mind, founded the first Islamic Theocracy of modern time. Soon after Ayatollahs rule, PMOI protested openly against the dictatorship rapidly in the making. The new dictatorship was not tolerant to this dissension and started arrest and execution of members and sympathizers of PMOI in Iran while the notorious “Quds” force a terrorist death squat was responsible for assassination of some PMOI members and leaders abroad.
Based on statistics published by National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Tehran already has executed more than 120 thousands of PMOI members.
PMOI members have been residing in Iraq since 26 years ago. Previously PMOI members resided in Camp Ashraf, 80 KM north of Baghdad. After the 2003 war in Iraq, U.S. forces assumed the responsibility for protection of Camp Ashraf.
In the aftermath of signing a security agreement between U.S. and Government of Iraq (GoI) the U.S. handed over the responsibility for protection of Camp Ashraf to GoI.
In light of the scope of infiltration of Iran agents in Iraqi security and military institutions, Tehran, made the most effort to utilize the loyal Iraqi agents against its old rival. Former Iraqi PM, Nouri al-Maliki was the key element of perusing Iran’s intentions in Iraq.
During Maliki tenure, Camp Ashraf was the target of at least 3 fatal attacks by the Iraq military forces. All those attacks, which resulted in the death of scores of residents, all holding “Protected Person” status, were condemned by the international community.
In 2011, as result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by UN and GoI, giving assurances for protection and security, Camp Ashraf residents were transferred to Camp Liberty. During recent years, international laws as well as political and moral commitments were sacrificed in altar of U.S. appeasement policy resulting in Mullahs’ regime further expansion in Iraq to the extent that in this latest attack, 80 missiles hit Camp Liberty taking the lives of 24 people.
The question is however, why Tehran cannot tolerate limited number of its dissidents even out of its borders?
The miseries of this theocratic fundamental regime in Tehran are numerous and diversified; concerns over JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] repercussions, social protests, of youths in particular, against unemployment and corrupted and crippled economy etc. Yet, Tehran prioritizes confrontation with its rivals in Camp Liberty in Iraq. Mullahs visualize in these dissidents their worst nightmares, and continue to manipulate all its influence in Iraq against them.
Camp Liberty residents are members of the most serious opposition to Tehran, which is led by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, stationed in Paris, a Muslim woman, charismatic leader with deep devotion to democracy, social rights and gender equality in addition to separation of church and state. Naturally, in a Middle East rampaged by Islamic fundamentalism, these belief represent a cultural, political and social alternative to Tehran. Mullahs do not fall short to use all their means in Iraq to strike against their alternative.
Iran’s consecutive defeats in Syria forced Tehran to bare the loss of some of its highest ranking military commanders. The promising result of the Arabic coalition against Iran’s middling in Yemen and domination of social protests inside Iran, adds to Iran’s concerns.
What Tehran is not realizing is that the area of state sponsored terrorism and export of fundamentalism has past. Support for paramilitary groups and creating its front defense line in neighboring countries with aim of preventing uprising inside the country has lost its effect.
The civilized world and all progressive, democratic people would no longer be deceived. This is the logic of history. This regime in Tehran must be replaced with a scholar, democratic government. This is the only tangible way for an end to pain and suffering of Iranian people as well as the region.
By: Heshmat Alavi, posted in the Ground Report, Nov 8, 2015
Heshmat Alavi is an Iranian human rights activist who advocates regime change in Iran
