BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's government acknowledged on Thursday that seven Iranian exiles were killed when Iraqi forces took control of their camp this week north of Baghdad.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh earlier denied anyone died in the clashes between Iraqi forces and protesters who tried to block their entry into Camp Ashraf, home to the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI) for two decades.
Iraq, Iran and the United States call the dissident group a terrorist organization. Iraq's Shi'ite Arab-led government wants to close the camp and send residents back to Iran or to a third country.
Camp residents have reported that Iraqi forces stormed the camp, shooting or beating residents and arresting others.
Resident Behzad Saffari, acting as a spokesman for other residents, said a dozen had been killed, at least six of whom were shot by police. Hundreds were wounded, he said.
Dabbagh, on Thursday, said seven people had died but disputed residents' accounts of how the deaths occurred.
 |
|
|
