Senator McCain on Camp Liberty: action needed to “prevent Iran from attacking residents”

Senator John McCain, in a statement on the July 4 missile attack on Camp Liberty, said that he “strongly” condemned the assault which injured dozens of unarmed members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK). 

The Senator called on the Iraqi government to provide “immediate medical and emergency assistance to the victims,” and to begin “a full and impartial investigation of the attack,” with the aim of bringing those responsible to justice.

Remarking that, “Sadly, this is not the first time the residents of Camp Liberty have been the victims of horrific attacks,” Senator McCain said it “demonstrates the need for the United States and Iraq to do more to ensure the security of Camp Liberty” while the State Department tries to “expedite the residents’ resettlement to a safe location.”

The Senator said that he remained “deeply concerned” about the safety of Camp Liberty’s residents.

Referencing the Iraqi security forces’ blockade of essential supplies to the camp, Senator McCain urged “the State Department to work together with the Government of Iraq to provide additional security to Camp Liberty and ensure continued and reliable access to food, clean water, medical assistance, electricity, and other supplies necessary to sustain the residents during the resettlement process.”

The Senator also referenced both the interference of the Iranian regime in attempts to resolve the predicament of Camp Liberty’s residents and its military assaults upon them. He said that “The State Department and Government of Iraq should also work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to prevent Iran from disrupting the resettlement process and attacking residents.”

“Such attacks must not be tolerated, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Senator McCain concluded.