Ali Al-Dabbagh, Iraqi Government Spokesman, said, "The Iraqi government is determined to extend its sovereignty over all areas and locations previously controlled by foreign forces. Camp Ashraf is not exempt from this decision. However, the Iraqi government is dealing with members of this camp in a humanitarian way."

The MEK helped Saddam Hussein fight their own country in the Iraq-Iran War. About 3,500 ex-fighters and their relatives live there.

The mission to clean up their camp, was welcomed by the Iranian authorities in Tehran.

Ali Larifani, Iranian Parliament Speaker, said, this action by the Iraqi government is too late, it is appreciated that they have decided to clean up the Iraqi land from the filthy existence of terrorists."

As to the fate of the members of the M-e-K, the Iraqi government has assured them that they would not be forcibly transferred to a country where they fear persecution.

(CCTV July 30, 2009))