BAGHDAD — Iraq has launched a crackdown on the Iranian opposition.

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In July, the U.S. military withdrew from a position outside Ashraf. Officials acknowledged that the current crackdown was launched in wake of the closure of the U.S. military base.

Officials said hundreds of Khalq operatives were recruited by the Saddam regime to quell the Shi'ite revolt nearly 20 years ago, Middle East Newsline reported. They said those served with a warrant would be prosecuted in Iraq rather than sent to Iran, which has also demanded the extradition of scores of Khalq members.

So far, the Baghdad government has issued warrants for about 40 members of Khalq. All of the warrants allege that the Iranian opposition operatives helped the Saddam regime attack the Shi'ite community in southern Iraq during the rebellion in 1991.

Iranian opposition sources have confirmed the crackdown by the Al Maliki government. The sources said Al Maliki has allowed Iranian intelligence agents, under the guise of being relatives of Ashraf residents, to deploy outside the military camp.

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