Region:
Middle East

Status:
Dormant

Established:
1965

Leader:
Massoud Rajavi

Strength:
Several thousand fighters based in Iraq with an extensive overseas support structure. Most of the fighters are organized in the MEK's National Liberation Army (NLA).

History/Notes:
The Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK or MKO), also known as the People's Mujahedin of Iran (PMOI), includes the National Liberation Army of Iran (NLA, the militant wing of the MEK) and the Muslim Iranian Student's Society (a front organization used to garner financial support). MEK was founded by the college-educated children of Iranian merchants. The MEK--following a philosophy that mixes Marxism and Islam--has developed into the largest and most active armed Iranian dissident group. Its history is studded with anti-Western activity and, most recently, attacks on the interests of the clerical regime in Iran and abroad.

Its ideology, based on Islam, emphasizes the need for social change, reportedly incorporating many Marxist ideas. In the 1960s the MEK sought to counter what is perceived as excessive Western influence in the Shah's regime. In the 1970s, the MEK concluded that violence was the only way to bring about change in Iran. The party was instrumental in overthrowing Shah Reza Pahlavi, but in 1981 withdrew its support from the Islamic regime in favor of President Bani Sadr. After the latter’s dismissal in June 1981, the government began a "rigorous campaign" against all political opposition, and the PMOI leadership was forced into exile in France, until 1986, when the French government closed down its headquarters in Paris, whereupon Rajavi and his followers moved to Iraq. Women are said to play a prominent role in the organization: a leadership council of 24 women was formed in 1993, women account for half of the NLA's troops, and Maryam Rajavi, the wife of Massoud Rajavi, is reported to be the deputy commander-in-chief as well as secretary general of the Mujahedeen.

The National Council for Resistance (NCR) was founded in Paris in 1981 by the first president of the Islamic Republic, Mr. Bani Sadr. Initially it was a broad coalition including the Mujahedeen, the Kurdish Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), the National Democratic Front, the Hoviyat Group and several small leftist groups. In 1984, a number of groups allegedly left the NCR, including the liberals under Bani Sadr and the KDPI. The Mujahedeen reportedly considered the NCR as the backbone of the political alternative to the regime in Tehran, while others saw it as a Mujahedeen front organization. At present, the NCR, headed by Maryam Rajavi, claims to include "all political groups, parties and personalities [including academics and religious leaders] active against the regime . . . [who] . . . believe in the separation of church and state and in a republic based on pluralism"

The MEK directs a worldwide campaign against the Iranian Government that stresses propaganda and occasionally uses terrorist violence.

In July 1995 Iranian troops reportedly launched a rocket attack against the group’s bases inside Iraq which, according to the PMOI leader, was "the 34th military or terrorist attack staged by the Iranian regime against the Mujahedeen . . . since the start of 1993"

Stated Goal(s):
Establishment of an Islamic-Marxist state in Iran

Location:
In the 1980s the MEK's leaders were forced by Iranian security forces to flee to France. Most resettled in Iraq by 1987.

In September 1997 the Iranian Air Force attacked two camps of the Iranian terrorist group Mujahedin Al-Khalq (MEK) in Iraq. There were reports of casualties among Iraqi civilians.

Area of Operation:
Since the mid-1980s, the MEK has not mounted terrorist operations in Iran at a level similar to its activities in the 1970s.  Aside from the National Liberation Army's attacks into Iran toward the end of the Iran-Iraq war, and occasional NLA cross-border incursions since, the MEK's attacks on Iran have amounted to little more than harassment. The MEK has had more success in confronting Iranian representatives overseas through propaganda and street demonstrations.

Terrorist Acts:

•  1970s - staged terrorist attacks inside Iran to destabilize and embarrass the Shah's regime
• 1970s - killing of several US military personnel and civilians working on defense projects in Tehran
• 1979 - support of the takeover the US Embassy in Tehran
• April 1992 - attacks on Iranian embassies in 13 different countries, demonstrating the group's ability to mount large-scale operations overseas
• misc. attacks in Iran, including those carried out in May 1993 against eight oil pipelines in the southwestern city of Abadan and in October 1993 against Ayatollah Khomeini’s shrine outside Tehran

Support:
Beyond support from Iraq, the MEK uses front organizations to solicit contributions from expatriate Iranian communities.

Other Links:

National Council of Resistance of Iran
(very good site)
National Liberation Army of Iran