June 23, 2014

Iraqi TV channels and eyewitnesses report of transfer of paramilitary forces to Ashraf and the plundering of residents’ vehicles and property by government forces using flatbed trucks

The Al-Taghier Iraqi TV channel reported that “in apprehension of the advancement of the revolutionaries, Government of Iraq has initiated plundering of Ashraf Base property that belong to the PMOI” (June 22, 2014). Concurrently, the Alhurra Iraqi TV channel reported that paramilitary forces “from central and southern Iraq have come to Camp New Iraq (Ashraf) in al-Athim area” and “religious figures from Karbala Province have come to Camp New Iraq to offer speeches to the fighters”. Reports also indicate that 9 Badr Forces have also been transferred from Basra to Ashraf. Footages by Alhurra show that buildings and facilities that have been built by the residents in 26 years at the residents’ expense, have been occupied by these forces.
At the same time, according to the locals and eyewitnesses, the Iraqi Prime Ministry agents are stealing the property of residents in Ashraf on a large scale. Since yesterday, they have prepared hundreds of residents’ vehicles to be loaded and taken out of Ashraf. Moreover, Iraqi forces have broken the seals on the warehouses and have loaded on flatbed trucks items such as personal protective gear (helmets and protective vests) bayonets, shoes and boots, medical equipment, etc. to take these items out of Ashraf. Every warehouse has three locks; one belonging to the Iraqi forces, one to UNAMI, and the third to the residents’ representative.
Systematic and large scale plundering of Ashraf residents’ property by Government of Iraq is not only an invasion of sites locked by the United Nations, but blatant breach of the August 16, 2012 quadripartite agreement (between the United States, Iraq, the United Nations, and the residents), as well as a violation of repeated commitments by the United States and the United Nations to the residents, including the joint plan of UN and U.S. for transfer of the remaining Ashraf residents to Camp Liberty on 5 September 2013 and the letter of September 6, 2013 of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Ms. Jones to Mrs. Rajavi in this regard.
Given the abovementioned points, the Iranian Resistance calls for urgent action by the United States and the United Nations to prevent ridding residents of their property and the transfer of this property to the vicinity of Camp Liberty and placed under UNAMI supervision.

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