Iraq camp for Iranian exiles where 52 killed is unsafe, protection needed for residents

BAGHDAD – The United Nations mission to Iraq says a camp north of Baghdad where 52 Iranian dissidents were killed this week is unsafe and is urging Iraqi officials to do more to protect dozens of remaining residents.

The statement Tuesday follows a visit by U.N. officials to Camp Ashraf the previous day. It says members of the delegation saw the bodies of 52 victims with apparent gunshot wounds, confirming death tolls provided by backers of the exiles and an Iraqi official.

Before the killings, Camp Ashraf had been home to about 100 followers of the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, an Iranian dissident group that opposes Tehran's clerical regime.

The MEK blames Iraqi security forces for the killings. Iraq denies that, and some Iraqi officials say there was an internal camp dispute.