Operation Fath-2

Isaac Talib-Bozorgi
60 بازدید

A series of operations named Fath were designed to strike and counter Saddam's army. The ground forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in cooperation with the Iraqi Kurdish opposition, carried out this operation in the northern axis of the war front.

In cooperation with the Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan, which was under the leadership of Jalal Talabani, the Ramadan Base of the Revolutionary Guards planned and implemented joint cross-border operations in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.[1] Thus, a series of irregular operations called Fath were established.[2] The first operation, named Fatah-1, was successfully carried out on October 9, 1986. This operation attacked the Kirkuk oil facilities, as well as the military and spy bases in that region. It also aimed at disrupting the export of Iraqi oil. This operation occurred  150 kilometers into Iraqi territory. Fifteen days after Operation Fath-1, Operation Fath-2 was brought into action.[3]

While Iraq once again began attacks against cities. launching air strikes on the cities of Bakhtran, Islamabad, etc., Iran had to carry out a retaliatory operations. They began by shelling Basra for 48 hours and crushing the cities of al-Amara and Kut. In such a situation, the IRGC, Basij, and Iraqi opposition fighters, under the command of the Ramadan Base, started Operation Fath-2 in the Dukan operational area in northeastern Iraq. With it, they intended to destroy industrial facilities.[4]

To carry out Operation Fath-2, under the orders of the Ramadan Base, the fighters brought their weapons and equipment from Iraqi Kurdistan and deployed them at the predetermined location.[5]

Irregular Operation Fatah-2, was carried out on October 24, 1986, in the northern axis of the Sacred Defense fronts, in the city of Dukan, Iraqi Kurdistan.[6]

The forces of the Ramadan Base of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with the cooperation, preparations, and information of the Iraqi Kurdish factions, were able to destroy the 350-megawatt electricity installation center of the Dukan Dam and remove it from the national electricity grid of Iraq. This too with minimal damage to their forces.[7] With this action, an appropriate response was given to the arson attacks of the Baghdad government.[8] This power plant covered large parts of Erbil Province,[9] Qaladize City and Dukan Dam. Dukan Dam was located near Sardasht City of Iran in West Azarbaijan Province, on the northeastern heights of Iraqi Kurdistan, and was under the control of the Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan.[10]

With two 120mm mortars, the Iranian troops fired about 50 mortar shells at the Dukan Power Plant, as well as the facilities and bases around it, while also monitoring the enemy’s positions.[11]

This operation took place 60 kilometers inside Iraqi territory. After the operation was completed, the operating forces returned to the initial line victoriously. Additionally, in this operation, the bases around the Dukan Dam Power Plant, the Dukan governorate building, and several anti-aircraft weapons around the city were destroyed and a number of Iraqi forces were killed.[12]

 

 

[1] Sadeghi, R., Guide Atlas 12: Western Azerbaijan in the war against counter-revolution and holy defense, Tehran: Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Holy Defense Documentation and Research Center, 2012, pp. 196 and 197.

[2] Ibid, p. 197

[3] Samii, A., Descriptive record of the operations of eight years of Holy Defense, Vice-Chancellor of Propaganda and Publications of Wali Faqih Agency in the Ground Force, 1997, pp. 262-265.

[4] Ibid, p. 268.

[5] Ibid

[6] Habibi, A., The Record of Operations of the Islamic Guards in the Eight Years of Sacred Defense, Tehran: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Public Relations and Publications Department, 5th Ch, 2004, p. 142.

[7] Ibid

[8] Samii, A., Descriptive record of operations of eight years of holy defense, p. 268.

[9] Ansari, M., Fawzi, Y., & Lotfollahzadegan, A., Journal of the Iran-Iraq War, Book 44: The McFarlane Story, Tehran: Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Holy Defense Records, and Research Center, 2001, p. 468.

[10] Habibi, A., the record of operations of the Islamic armies in the eight years of holy defense, p. 142.

[11]Ansari, M., Fawzi, Y., Lotfollahzadegan, A., Iran-Iraq War Chronicle, book forty-four, p. 468.

[12] Ibid