MEK announces the government-in-exile as part of Israel’s scheme, while Albania risks suffering it in a conflict that does not belong to it

The story of the stay of members of the MEK organization (Mujahedin of the Iranian People) in Albania is moving from a humanitarian chapter to a dangerous geopolitical “mine” field. What started in 2014 as an act of solidarity and response to the request of our American allies, today is turning into an open challenge to the sovereignty and national security of Albania.

The question that is urgently asked today is: Does the Albanian government still have control over the activity of this group, or has Manza turned into a state within a state? The initial pact was clear: Albania offered shelter for purely humanitarian purposes, with the express condition that the group would not be involved in political or military activities from our territory.

This fragile balance was broken in June 2023. The harsh intervention of the police in the “Ashraf 3” camp revealed that the agreement had been violated. Suspicions of cyber attacks against third countries forced the Albanian state to use force to restore legality.

The reaction of the USA at that time was decisive: the right to decide on their position belongs to Tirana, leaving the “hot potato” in the hands of our government. However, recent developments have surpassed all predictions.

This Monday’s act, where Maryam Rajavi announced from Albania the formation of a “temporary government in exile” after the assassination of Ali Khamenei, is an open provocation. This action is no longer a humanitarian activity, but a declaration of political war that puts Albania in the front line of fire.

In this context, Rajavi’s move looks more like a desperate attempt to maintain relevance, since in recent years the MEK has significantly lost weight in the eyes of the West. While they were once seen as the main opposition, today the US and Israel are sponsoring – mainly for diversion – the son of the former Shah, Reza Pahlavi, who also remains highly contested by a good part of Iranians.

Activating the “government-in-exile” by Manza is likely part of Tel Aviv’s game to sow even more chaos, but using Albania as a launching pad. And under these conditions, if until yesterday the threat was limited to virtual space, today the danger is physical and tangible.

Iran’s ballistic arsenal, with missiles such as Khorramshahr-4, Sejjil or Ghadr, has a range of up to 2,000 kilometers. The map of CSIS experts shows it clearly: Albania is within the perimeter of the strike. This is where our biggest concern begins. Our country is a member of NATO, but in terms of air defense we are simply “consumers” and not its guarantors.

Our space is monitored and protected by the systems of our neighbors, Italy and Greece. Albania itself does not possess any defense system that can neutralize a possible missile attack in time. By allowing the announcement of a parallel Iranian government by Manza, we risk becoming a target without having our means to defend ourselves.

What makes the situation even more alarming is the total lack of transparency on the part of the Albanian government. Has this move of Rajavi received the prior agreement of Tirana? Has NATO been consulted about the consequences of this act? Has Albania received strong guarantees from the Alliance that in the event of a ballistic attack, protection will be immediate and guaranteed?

Until now, Albanian citizens are in the dark. Solidarity with the victims and those persecuted by the regime of the Ayatollahs is a human value that Albania has generously demonstrated. But we must be realistic: Albania is a very small and weak country to become part of the “big games” of global powers.

If until yesterday cyber attacks paralyzed our public services, today the scenarios that are being drawn on Manza are much more dangerous. The government cannot simply be a spectator of MEK’s movements in our territory. The safety of the lives of Albanians must be the first priority, before any other humanitarian or political obligation. /tesheshi

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Source: prizrenpost