Hunger strikers camped outside the US embassy are willing to starve themselves to death to save their loved ones from further massacres in Iraq.

Six Anglo-Iranians, four of whom live in Barnet, have refused to eat food for 80 days starting from September 1, when 52 people were killed in Camp Ashraf and seven hostages were taken by Iraqi troops.

The remaining members of the Mujahideen-e Khalq (MEK) group were forced to flee to another site, known as Camp Liberty.

Desperate to secure their safety, Barnet’s hunger strikers go to Grosvenor Square every morning where they wrap-up against the cold weather in electric blankets, drinking no more than six cups of water with a tea bag and sugar each day.

Among them is Susan Alijani, 63, of Wheatley Close, Hendon, who has breast and skin cancer, as well as osteoporosis.

Speaking to the Times Series, the retired nurse said: “I feel very weak, I’ve lost 11 kilos, I’ve had really bad skeletal and stomach pains and I’ve had to go to hospital twice. I should be taking medication but because I’m not eating I can’t.

“I’m risking my life to save the lives of others. I don’t want to die but I have no choice – I have to help release those hostages and save the others from further attacks.”

Just as determined to “take it to the bitter end” is Westminster lecturer Siavash Rajabi, 57, who also lives in Wheatley Close, Hendon.

Mr Rajabi, whose friend Hossein Madani was killed in the September 1 attack, said: “The American government gave a guarantee to the residents of Camp Ashraf to look after and protect them. But they haven’t honoured that and the camp has been attacked three times, 110 people have been killed and more than 600 injured.

“During the last 80 days I have lost 23 kilos, but I feel okay at the moment. All I am thinking about is those seven hostages and the remaining 3,000 citizens.

“We are here to do a mission and if it means our lives, then so be it. Till the last breath in my body, I will continue asking for the safety of those people.”

MP for Hendon, Matthew Offord, visited the hunger strikers yesterday where he presented them with flowers and pledged to continue to lobby the Government to intervene in Iraq.

He said: “It fills me with great concern that my constituents are on hunger strike. It is a priority that I keep lobbying the issue and telling government they need to address this.

“I would like to see the US and UK governments and the UN protect those people in Iraq.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We condemn the appalling attack on Camp Ashraf that took place on the September 1. We are very concerned about the reports of missing residents and call for their immediate and safe return.”

The US Embassy has also condemned the “barbaric and brazen” attack.

A spokesman for the embassy said: “We have called on Iraqi authorities to act with urgency to ensure the safety and security of MEK residents in Iraq.  The United States remains committed to supporting the Government of Iraq and United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq in implementing the December 25, 2011 agreement to relocate these individuals outside Iraq. 

“This tragic event underscores the urgency and importance of relocating the residents of Camp Ashraf and Camp Hurriya outside Iraq as the only durable solution that will ensure their safety.”