BAGHDAD: Iraqi security forces clashed with residents of an Iranian dissident camp north of Baghdad overnight, the Iraqi government said on Friday, and an Iranian opposition group said residents were attacked and killed. The government spokesman said five members of the Iraqi security forces were wounded in the incident at Camp Ashraf. Representatives of the camp called the incident a “criminal attack” and said 25 residents were killed and 320 wounded. An Iraqi medical source at nearby Baquba hospital said they had received the bodies of three Iranians, while 16 Iranians, five Iraqi soldiers and one Iraqi policemen were brought to the hospital with injuries. The source requested anonymity since he was not authorized to speak to the media. The 25-year-old camp, home to some 3,500 people, is the base of the People's Mujahideen Organization of Iran (PMOI), a guerrilla group that opposes Iran's cleric leaders. Iran, Iraq and the United States consider the PMOI a terrorist organization. Iraqi government spokesman Ali Al-Dabbagh said Ashraf residents threw rocks at security forces in what he called a “riot”. Troops had not opened fire, he said, contrary to reports by camp residents. “The security forces have pushed back residents of Camp Ashraf inside the camp by force,” Dabbagh said. “The situation is now controlled.” “I do not have any information about any deaths or injuries among the residents of the camp,” he said. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is visiting Iraq, said the US military had reports of deaths in clashes at Ashraf but could not confirm them. “We're very concerned with reports of deaths and injuries resulting from this morning's clashes... I urge the Iraqi government to show restraint and to live up to its commitments to treat residents of Ashraf according to Iraqi law and their international obligations.” Asked about any US military role, Gates said nearby forces might render medical help “but that's about the extent of it”. Rights advocates said earlier this year in Geneva that the United Nations and the United States should take on protection of the camp to head off a tragedy which could lead to the deaths of residents.
