Operation Ashura-3
Masuuma Sajjadian
64 بازدید
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps carried out an infiltration operation, called Ashura-3, in 1985. With this operation they intended to destroy the Iraqi forces that were operating in the area north of Fakkeh.[1]
In 1985, in order to create the conditions for implementing a major operation in Faw (i.e., Operation Fajr-8) and to boost the morale of the people and fighters, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps began conducting limited operations. Additionally, this strategic pressure on Iraq was intended to reduce their sensitivity to other important operations. It was within this framework that Operation Ashura was designed.
Operation Ashura-1 was carried out by the Iranian forces in collaboration with the Muslim Kurdish Peshmerga in Takab and Sandej against the local counter-revolution factions on August 11, 1985.
Operation Ashura-2 was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the Changule axis on August 14, 1985. These attacks not only kept the Iraqi defense forces and other military personnel in a constant state of expectation, but also put the political parties on alert.[2]
Operation Ashura-3, which was an infiltration operation, was carried out in the general area of Fakkeh. In the northern axis of Fakkeh, the main defense line of Iraq was located west of the Dourij River. To the east of the river important heights, such as Shiri, Razmi and Shetri Hills, were located. Iraq had deployed forces on them to gain more control over the region.[3] The Sayyid al-Shuhadah Brigade, carried out the Operation Ashura-3, intending to destroy the enemy and take prisoners. It consisted of three battalions. They started the attack at 21:00 on August 15, 1985 with the codename of Sayyid al-Shuhadah.
The three battalions, i.e., Hazrat Qasim, Hazrat Ali Asghar and Hazrat Qamar Bani Hashem, of the Sayyid al-Shuhadah Brigade crossed the minefields, barbed wire and other dangerous obstacles during the first hours of the operation and broke the defensive lines of the Iraqi army. They were able to clear an area of fourteen square kilometers. This operation continued until the early morning, after which the troops returned to their bases.[4]
In this operation, Iranian forces destroyed the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 108th Brigade of the 16th Iraqi Division.[5] Over 600 Iraqi soldiers were killed and wounded and 35 were captured in this operation.[6]
In this attack, Iraqi military equipment and tools, including two tanks, eleven ammunition depots, two communication bridges, a loader, a motor park and a large number of engineering tools were destroyed. Iranian forces were able to capture large amounts of military equipment, light and heavy weapons, in addition to logistical and telecommunication equipment.
In this operation, 20 Iranian fighters were martyred and 100 injured.[7]
Another of these operations, i.e., the Operation Ashura-4, was carried out on October 21, 1965, in Hur al-Huweyzeh.[8]
[1] Samii, A., Descriptive record of the operations of Islamic warriors during the eight years of holy defense, Vice-Chancellor of Propaganda and Publications of Vali Faqih Agency in the Ground Forces, Publishing Management, Tehran, 2016, p. 207.
[2] Nakhai, H., Mashhadi Farahani, H., Chronicle of the Iran-Iraq War: Book 37: Development of Relations with Asian Powers, Tehran: IRGC War Studies and Research Center, 2004, pp. 39-41 and 719-717.
[3] Nakhai, H., Mashhadi Farahani, H., Chronicle of the Iran-Iraq War: Book 37: Development of Relations with Asian Powers, Tehran: IRGC War Studies and Research Center, 2004, pp. 39-41 and 719-717Nakhai, H., Mashhadi Farahani, H., Journal of the Iran-Iraq War: Book 37, p. 742.
[4] Nakhai, H., Mashhadi Farahani, H., Journal of the Iran-Iraq War, Book 37, pp. 742 and 743.
[5] Samii, A., Descriptive record of the operations of the warriors of Islam during the eight years of holy defense, p. 207.
[6] Ibid, pp. 207 and 208.
[7]Nakhai, H., Mashhadi Farahani, H., Journal of the Iran-Iraq War, Book 37, p. 743.
[8] Habibi, A., Guide Atlas 4: Azadegan Plain in War, Tehran: Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps War Studies and Research Center, Ch 1, 2002, p. 132.
