List of extensive Iranian ground operations in the Iran-Iraq war
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List of Iran's operations during Iran-Iraq war
This list of extensive Iranian ground operations in the Iran-Iraq war introduces 28 of the most important Iranian ground operations during the eight years of the Iran-Iraq war, which are known as extensive operations. In this article, extensive operations are classified into 3 categories, northern front, middle front and southern front, based on the operational front. The set of information introduced for each operation includes: the name of the operation, the date of the start and end of the operation, the area of the operation, the code of the operation, the forces operating in each operation and a summary of the most important achievements in each operation.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
The eight-year Iran-Iraq war commenced on September 22, 1980, though signs of Saddam Hussein’s intent to invade Iran had been apparent for several months prior. Initial clashes with Iraq erupted in the west on September 4, 1980, while minor skirmishes along the southern border began on September 13. The following day, September 14, marked the first martyr of the war in the south, a soldier from the Omidiyeh Corps. In response to this aggression, Iran’s courageous forces mobilized to defend their homeland, conducting numerous operations across land, air, and sea with exceptional dedication. Operation Kaman 99, also known as Operation Shadow of Alborz, was a major Iranian air assault launched on the war’s first day and is regarded as the largest Air Force military operation. This mission involved 200 Iranian aircraft, 140 of which penetrated Iraqi airspace to strike military installations, airfields, and hangars, including Kirkuk, Rashid, Ali, and Al-Taqaddum Air Bases, as well as targets in Mosul, Nasiriyah, Shuaibiyah, Kut, Basra, Umm Qasr, Al-Muthanna, and Baghdad International Airport. The remaining 60 planes provided essential support during the operation.[8] Given the strategic and economic significance of the Al-Bakr and Al-Amaya oil platforms for the Ba’athist regime, Iran’s Navy targeted these installations from the outset. In November 1980, through two naval operations—“Ashkan” and “Shahid Safari”—Iran successfully destroyed these key oil terminals, thereby crippling the enemy’s oil export capabilities and inflicting economic hardship.[9]
The Iranian Army aimed to halt Iraq’s advance but was repelled by a flank counterattack. Poor decisions, a purge of commanders after the Nojeh coup plot, and underestimating Iraqi firepower led to a retreat to the east bank of the Dez River near Dezful.
Three Iranian armored regiments advanced on Iraqi forces near Ahvaz, Susangerd, and Dezful. Alerted, the Iraqis feigned retreat and set a three-sided ambush. After four days of muddy tank battles, the Iranians withdrew, abandoning many damaged tanks. This was the biggest tank battle of the war.
Recapturing the eastern bank of the Karun River - removing Abadan from the one-year siege - liberating more than 150 square kilometers of land occupied by the Iraqi army - the most classic operation of the Iranian forces during the war, which was completely based on military principles.
Recapture of 2,500 square kilometers of Iranian territory from Iraqi forces - Liberation of the strategic road from Dezful to Dehloran - Capture of Abu Gharib oil wells in the Tineh Heights - Capture of 15,000 Iraqi soldiers by Iranian forces.
Liberation of Khorramshahr and Hoveyzeh area and Hamid barracks - destruction of 20% of the Iraqi army - liberation of 5038 square kilometers from the occupied areas - extensive withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Khuzestan province and their positioning around the city of Basra to counter a possible attack by Iranian forces
It featured the use of human wave attacks in the largest land battle since World War II. The engagement was a part of the overall stalemate, and was the first encounter of the Iranian forces with the triangular trenches. This resulted in the failure of Basra's siege, which was the objective of the operation.
The Iranian operation aimed to capture heights overlooking Mandali, secure the middle-front border, protect liberated Iranian territory, and expel Iraqi forces west of Sumar. The operation was successful.
Seizing the Musian and Bayat oil resources as well as the Zubaidat oil ponds, which consisted of 700 oil wells - Seizing the road from Tayyeb to Shahrani - Seizing the supply road from Baghdad to Basra - The troops reached the 50 km long border point. The first motorcycle RPG battalion was used in this operation.
Iranian forces launched an offensive near Amarah, 200 km southeast of Baghdad, led by the IRGC with army support. The operation resulted in heavy Iranian losses due to poor air support and intense Iraqi artillery and airstrikes. The offensive failed to capture the Ghazilah bridge and Amarah city.
The partial achievement of the Iranian forces to the desired heights - the weakness of the command of the ground forces due to excessive reliance on the artillery unit - the failure to join the units to each other after the end of the operation - the retreat of the Iranian forces to their previous positions after a few days.
Cooperation of BarzaniKurds with Iranian forces - the leak of the operation by the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan to the Iraqi forces - 80% of the objectives of the operation were realized. Also, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran exposed many documents obtained about them.
In the northern axis of the operation (Al-Aziz), Iranian forces were able to reach the Tigris River and cut off the traffic of vehicles on the Basra-Baghdad route. Capture of two Majnoon Island with an area of 160 square kilometers - Capture of 50 oil wells - Iraq's extensive use of chemical weapons - The start of tanker war
The slow progress of Iranian forces in Iraqi positions to the east of the Tigris and the failure to cross it - the inability of Iranian forces to fire properly at Iraqi forces due to the lack of facilities - retreat from half of the captured areas after a week - the start of the city war
The capture of the city of Faw, Ras al-Bisheh, the Faw road to Basra - cutting off Iraq's access to the Persian Gulf - the most extensive use of chemical weapons during the war by the Iraqi army - the capture of 3,000 Iraqi soldiers by Iranian forces - the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 582 - the construction of the "Basat" bridge Using 5,000 pipes on Arvand River - chemical injury of more than 15,000 Iranian soldiers in 17 days - Robert McFarlane's arrival in Tehran.
The operation plan was leaked before it began because AWACS planes picked up the information - blocking the digging of the canal in the main passage of the Axis and filling it with Mazut to defeat the Iranian forces - the failure of the Iranian forces in capturing the islands of Umm ar-Rasas and Abu Al-Khaseeb after 48 hours and the order to stop Operations by commanders.
Approval of Resolution 598 - Advancement of 12 km towards Basra - Capture of 11 Iraqi Army Camps - Liberation of 150 km of Iran's territory - Destruction of 81 independent brigades and battalions of the Iraqi Army - Capture of Bubiyan Lake - Liberation of 4 Iranian border posts.
The purpose of this operation was only to weaken the morale and war machine of Iraq in the southern part of the fish breeding channel. Iranian forces returned to their original positions with the first Iraqi attack without any resistance.
Recapture of the city of Mehran and the strategic heights of Qalavizan and Hamrin - liberation of the road from Dehloran to Mehran - liberation of 2 border checkpoints.
The Iraqi army's resistance in the region exceeded initial expectations, prompting both sides to significantly escalate their efforts. As a result, Operation Dawn-4 evolved from a limited engagement into a large-scale offensive. During the operation, Iranian forces succeeded in capturing approximately 700 square kilometers of Iraqi territory.
Following the failure of Badr operation, operational leadership was transferred to the regular army, including responsibility for liberating the Oshnavieh-Piranshahr area, previously held by the IRGC. However, the army also failed, attempting and failing to capture the area three times over two months before ultimately halting the operation.
The slow advance of Iranian forces on the difficult roads of the region - failure to achieve half of the initial goals of the operation - advancement of 34 kilometers in Iraqi territory - grounding of the forces of both sides in the heights of Shakh Qoolan.
Iran's first operation was in the winter, which brought a partial victory in order to score points for the end of the war - the capture of the heights of Qomish, Vivlan and the Goujar Strait were the achievements of this operation.
This operation was a complete success and the towns of Halabja, Dojileh and Khurmal were captured by Iranian forces - the siege of the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah - the chemical bombing of the Iraqi city of Halabja by the Ba'ath regime
The last battle of the Iran-Iraq war. The Iranian army and Revolutionary Guard moved north from Khuzestan, encircling and suppressing the remaining resistance in the city of Kerend-e Gharb on 29 July 1988 - Acceptance of the Resolution 598 by Saddam Hussein - expressing Britain's desire to re-establish diplomatic relations - sending UN peacekeeping forces to the borders of the two countries and establishing lasting peace.
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