International calls for investigation on Thursday missile attack on Camp Liberty

By: Keyvan Salami

Following the heavy missile attack on camp Liberty in Iraq which caused the loss of lives and massive destruction in the residential areas many politicians and representatives have called for immediate investigations. Camp Liberty, near Baghdad International Airport, houses more than 2500 members of the Iranian Mujahedin. The organization is determined to overthrow the religious dictatorship in Iran. On Thursday, October 29^th the camp, which is defenseless against air or missile attacks, was hit for the fourth time in the past three years. Many blame the attack was orchestrated by the Iranian regime that has put its upmost efforts to eliminate its most dedicated foes.

Politicians and representatives have already called for UN and US government to start investigations about this terrorist act which claimed the lives of 23 of the residents and injured many others. Federica Mogerini, the European Union’s foreign policy chief , condemned the missile attack on Camp Liberty emphasizing it is very important that the government of Iraq investigate the incident and to immediately  pursue the camp’s security upon the agreement Iraq signed with the United nations in 2011. Mogerini’s call comes simultaneous to the remarks by the UN Secretary General ban Ki moon. During a Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, “ The Secretary General condemns the attack yesterday on Camp Hurriya (Liberty), near the Baghdad International Airport, which left at least 26 residents dead and many more wounded.” Mr. Dujarric added, “The Secretary General calls on the Government of Iraq to promptly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.  There can be no impunity for such attacks”.  He reminded the Government of Iraq of its responsibility to provide for the safety and security of the Camp’s residents.

U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee in the US Congress, has stated, “Secretary Kerry and the State Department must call for an immediate and impartial investigation into this act of terror, work to bring the perpetrators to justice, and do more to ensure the security of Camp Liberty”. Judge Ted Poe, another US representative called on the US State Department to “immediately send people into Iraq to investigate the attack on the ground”.

UN’s High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Gutierrez, who described the Thursday attack as “a most deplorable act” said, ‘Every effort must continue to be made for the injured and to identify and bring to account those responsible” Amnesty International described the “rocket attack on a camp of Iranian exiles in Iraq” as “despicable and callous crime” and called for an immediate investigation, urgent protection and assistance for the camp’s residents
Frances Townsend, the former Homeland Security Advisor to United States President George W. Bush, Strongly condemned the deadly missile attack on Camp Liberty and said the US must condemn and use Leverage to stop this heinous crime against defenseless civilians in future

Former US Energy Secretary, Bill Richardson has strongly condemned the horrific missile attack, which has resulted in the death of 23 Iranian dissidents. He also urged the US government to condemn this terrorist act and to see that such acts would be prevented in future.

According to the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), the attack on Camp Hurriya (Camp Liberty) resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. “UNAMI urges the Government of Iraq to do its utmost to abide by its commitments in providing adequate security for the residents of the camp and to launch an independent investigation into the killings that would bring the perpetrators to justice,” it said in a statement

San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released this statement on the rocket attack against Camp Hurriya in Iraq:
“The violent attack on Camp Hurriya deserves the world’s condemnation”.  “I endorse Secretary Kerry’s statement calling on the Iraqi government to meet its obligations and take all necessary measures to protect the residents of Camp Hurriya.

Channel News earlier cited a statement from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry who called on Iraqi officials to find those responsible for the attack and hold them accountable. “We are consulting with the government of Iraq to ascertain the full extent of this unprovoked attack,” Kerry said.

In Iraq, a spokesman for the joint operations command of the Iraqi security forces said on Friday that ‘The investigation is under way.

Keyvan Salami tweets at @SalamiKeyvan