US relocates MKO leaders for protection

US forces have relocated leading members of the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MKO) after Iraqi authorities took control of their camp. Following a decision by the Iraqi government to take over the security of the MKO headquarters, the US forces relocated selected members of the organization. According to an informed source in the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, the move was aimed at preventing the MKO leaders from falling into the hands of Iraq’s government. Earlier in August, Iraqi army took control of MKO’s Camp Ashraf in Diyala province, 60 kilometers north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Iraqi government officials believe the MKO is playing a significant role in fueling violence and insecurity in the country and have announced plans to activate judiciary petitions against the members of the terrorist cell. The foreign ministry official added that the MKO members, currently residing in the camp, are those who have been deceived to join the terrorist cell and are considering leaving the organization. "Therefore these members are not helpful for the American forces to achieve their goals," the source said. The group has so far claimed responsibility for several terrorist attacks inside Iran and it cooperated with former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in the massacre of Iraqi civilians. The cell has been blacklisted as a terrorist organization by many countries including Iraq, Iraq, Canada, the United States, and the European Union.