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On June 20th, 2023, the Albanian police launched an operation at the MEK camp in Manëz,[1] Durrës, on the orders of the Albanian judiciary due to the "violation of agreement and commitments".[2][3]

Background

This camp, named Ashraf 3 by the MEK, is located 30 km west of Tirana. These Iranian dissidents, who are known as a terrorist group by both Iran and Iraq, have for several years resided in Ashraf camp 1 and 2 in Iraq under the protection of Saddams' regime and U.S. troops. Finally, because of the changing political situation in Iraq, they lost their security and experienced some raids in the 2010s that made sponsors of the MEK find an alternative country to accept being their host. The U.S. negotiated with some partners in Eastern Europe. Romania seemed an ideal base, but Albania responded positively to the U.S.[4][5]

Iran-Albania relations have been tense since Albania gave MEK members a haven.[6] In 2022, Albania suffered a cyber-attack that their government and multi-national technology companies blamed on the Iranian[7] Foreign Ministry. The attack, believed to be in retaliation for the MEK camp, the host of the Iranian opposition in exile, pushed the government to suspend diplomatic relations with Iran. The Iranian Foreign Ministry denied being behind the attack on Albanian government websites and noted that Iran has suffered cyber-attacks from the MEK.[8]

Reactions

U.S.: Despite previous supports of Washington to the MEK, this time the State Department didn't even provide training to them. White House stood behind and said: "We support the Government of Albania's right to investigate any potential illegal activities within its territory."[4][9]

Some media and analysts tried to relate this raid to U.S.-Iran negotiations.[10][11]

Aftermath

The conflict between police and the MEK left one dead and 36 other camp residents injured, MEK said; rather, the state police said that the police didn't use any deathly means and the victim was not necessarily connected to the police operation.[12]

Muhamet Rrumbullaku, commander of the national police confirms both Mujahedeens and police officers were injured during the raid at the Ashraf 3 camp. 15 officers and 21 residents were injured, the police used pepper spray against Mojahedeen who tried to block the officers and finally, police seized 150 computers allegedly linked to prohibited political activities from 17 buildings in the camp, Fox News reported. Mujahedeen-e-Khalq representatives claim 1 person was killed in the raid.[8]

The situation in the camp on June 21st was calm.[2]

See also

Externals links

References

  1. ^ "Clashes in the MEK, Fox News: The Biden administration in a precarious position, after the raid by the Albanian police". politiko.al. 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  2. ^ a b "Albanian Authorities Suspect Iranian Dissidents Residing In Camp Of Several Crimes". RFE/RL's Balkan Service. Radion Free Europe. June 22, 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  3. ^ "U.S. Voices Support For Albanian Raid On Camp For Iranian Dissidents". Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty. June 21, 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  4. ^ a b "US Says Albania's Raid On Iranian MEK Compound Legal". June 20, 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  5. ^ Maziar Motamedi (June 21, 2023). "Why was this Iran dissident group raided in Europe?". aljazeera.com/. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  6. ^ "Albania says it foiled Iranian plot to attack exiled dissidents". Reuters. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  7. ^ Semini, Llazar. "Pro-Iranian hackers likely behind cyberattack on Albania, say US analysts". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  8. ^ a b "Albanian police raid Iranian opposition camp, seize 150 computers". fox news. June 20, 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  9. ^ "Albania police raid exiled Iran opposition camp, 1 member killed". Middle East Monitor. 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  10. ^ Weinthal, Benjamin (2023-06-24). "Was raid on Iran opposition group tied to possible new Biden-Tehran nuclear talks?". Fox News. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  11. ^ Weinthal, Benjamin (2023-06-25). "Was Raid on Iran Opposition Group Tied to Biden-Tehran 'Mini-Agreement'?". Middle East Forum. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  12. ^ Albania, Euronews (2023-06-20). "State Police controls in Mujahedin camp result in a victim and tens of injured". Euronews Albania. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
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