The MKO fled Iran in 1986 for Iraq, where it received the backing of Iraq’s executed dictator Saddam Hussein and set up a camp near the Iranian border. The terrorist group also sided with Saddam during Iraq’s eight-year imposed war on the Islamic Republic in 1980-1988.
The group is also believed to be responsible for the killing of thousands of Iraqis during dictatorial era of Saddam when the MKO also operated as mercenaries
The terrorists were responsible for numerous bombings and assassinations against high ranking officials as well as fighting Iranian troops from Iraq standing side by side Saddam in his eight year war with Iran.
Operation Mersad was the name given by the Iranian government, taken from the Persian word meaning 'ambush' was the last major military operation of the war, ending in a decisive victory for Iran.
The operation involved a successful counterattack against a July 1988 military invasion from Iraq, by the bulk of the Iraqi army in the south west, and a military force of about 7000 members of the MKO.
The MKO terrorists were armed, equipped and given air support by Iraq and other foreign states. Led by Lt. General Ali Sayad Shirazi, Operation Mersad began on 26 July 1988 and lasted only a few days.
The Iranian Armed Forces crushed the Iraqi Army and MKO in what was the last military operation of any significance of the imposed War.
Out of the nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist attacks since the victory of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, 12,000 have fallen victim to the acts of terror carried out by the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO).
After having committed numerous crimes, the MKO terrorists were given sanctuary by the West. Western countries did put the MKO on their terrorist lists for a time, but later removed it.
Western countries’ double-standard policies toward the scourge of terrorism have exposed the hypocrisy of their claims that they want to wage a campaign against terrorism.
On the anniversary of operation Mersad, it is necessary to expose some crimes committed by the MKO terrorist group.
In 1981, the group was held responsible for bombing the offices of the ruling Islamic Republic Party. The attack killed 70 high-ranking officials, including President Mohammad Ali Rajaei, Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Bahonar, and judiciary chief Ayatollah Mohammad Beheshti.
“In this great tragedy the Iranian nation lost 72 innocent martyrs as many martyrs as those in Kerbala.”
Some phrases from Imam’s historic message comes as under:
“…The Iranian nation is proud to produce people who devoted themselves to serving Islam and Muslims, while the enemies of people martyred a group who had come together to consult for the interests of the country. The dear nation, these blind-hearted people who claim that they are fighting for the people (It refers to the hypocritical terrorist organization, which has called itself People Mujahidin Organization, took the lives of active and friendly servants of the people. Let us suppose that you were bitter enemies of martyr Beheshti, who lived innocently and who died and who was a thorn in the side of the enemies of Islam and especially a thorn in your side, what enmity did you have with 27 innocent people many of whom were the best servants of the people and who were staunch opponents of the enemies of the country? Under the pretext of people, you are opposing the nation and paving the way for the Eastern and Western plunderers…”