This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-34674185

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Iraq violence: Iranian exiles hit by intense rocket fire Iraq violence: Iranian exiles hit by intense rocket fire
(about 2 hours later)
A former military base in Iraq housing exiled Iranian opposition members has come under intense rocket fire, Iraqi and Iranian officials say. A former military base in Iraq housing exiled Iranian opposition members has come under intense rocket fire.
The People's Mujahedin of Iran says 23 of its members were killed in the attack in addition to three policemen.The People's Mujahedin of Iran says 23 of its members were killed in the attack in addition to three policemen.
About 80 missiles struck the former US base known as Camp Liberty, close to Baghdad airport, according to the PMOI. About 80 missiles struck the former US base known as Camp Liberty, close to Baghdad airport, according to the PMOI. The Iraqi military said about 15 rockets were used.
No group has yet said it carried out the attack.No group has yet said it carried out the attack.
The rockets were fired from the Bakriya district northeast of the airport, Iraqi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasool told Reuters.
The People's Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) has been in exile since the Islamic revolution of 1979.The People's Mujahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) has been in exile since the Islamic revolution of 1979.
The Camp Liberty base came under rocket fire in December 2013 and in February 2013. The Camp Liberty base came under rocket fire in February 2013 and in December 2013.
PMOI rebels also came under attack from Iraqi troops in 2011.PMOI rebels also came under attack from Iraqi troops in 2011.
The US designated the PMOI as a terrorist organisation in 1997 but took it off its blacklist in 2012 in view of its "public renunciation of violence".
The 23 reported deaths have not been independently verified.The 23 reported deaths have not been independently verified.
US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed in a statement that residents of the camp were killed and injured, but he did not specify how many.US Secretary of State John Kerry confirmed in a statement that residents of the camp were killed and injured, but he did not specify how many.
Police say that six Katyusha rockets landed inside the perimeter of the airport without causing damage, while six others landed on the base inside Camp Liberty, a former US military base. He said the US would assist the UN in the relocation of all camp residents "to a permanent and safe location outside of Iraq".
Sources said that the rockets were fired from an area west of the airport.
The PMOI sided with Saddam Hussein during Iran's war with Iraq in the 1980s but fell out with Baghdad after the Iraqi leader was overthrown by a US-led invasion in 2003.The PMOI sided with Saddam Hussein during Iran's war with Iraq in the 1980s but fell out with Baghdad after the Iraqi leader was overthrown by a US-led invasion in 2003.
The remaining Iranian dissidents, who advocate the removal of Iran's clerical leaders, were moved to Camp Liberty in 2012.The remaining Iranian dissidents, who advocate the removal of Iran's clerical leaders, were moved to Camp Liberty in 2012.
They have blamed Iran for instigating the attack and have called for the US and the UN to launch an inquiry.They have blamed Iran for instigating the attack and have called for the US and the UN to launch an inquiry.
Last year Islamic State militants fired rockets near the international airport as it sought to destabilise the capital.Last year Islamic State militants fired rockets near the international airport as it sought to destabilise the capital.
Mr Kerry condemned the latest attack on Thursday night.
"We are consulting with the government of Iraq to ascertain the full extent of this unprovoked attack," he said.
He said the US remained committed to helping relocate all residents of the camp to a safe location outside of Iraq.