France condemns violence at Iranian refugee camp in Iraq

The French government strongly condemned an outbreak of violence Sunday that allegedly killed dozens of residents of the Ashraf camp in Iraq, which houses groups of Iranian dissidents, some of which have been involved in violence against the Iranian regime. Clashes between the Iraqi security services and the residents have been frequent in the past, leading the UN to examine ways to resolve the situation and relocate the Iranian residents from Ashraf and another camp in Iraq. "France firmly condemns the violence in the Ashraf camp," a French statement said. "Violence against the civilian population and especially against refugees is unacceptable," it added. "France wants to remind (Iraq) that it is up to Iraqi authorities to ensure the security of the refugee camps, including the Ashraf and Hurriya camps, and to provide medical assistance to the wounded, where necessary," the Foreign Ministry said. France also called for an independent enquiry into Sunday's incidents and urged those responsible be pursued under the law. Paris also urged Iraq to fully cooperate with the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq to find a solution to the refugee camps.