Operation Karbala-7
Operation Karbala-7
Neda Arba
68 بازدید
The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran carried out Operation Karbala-7 in March 1987, in the general area of Haj Imran in Iraq. It concluded with the capturing and liberating of the intended targets.
Operation Karbala-7, which was an offensive operation, aimed at causing damage to the Iraqi forces, reducing the pressure on the operational area of Karbala-5 and -6, laying the groundwork for the next operations of the Ramadan Base, avenging the blood of the martyrs from the bombing of Iranian cities, recapturing the sensitive heights of 2519, Shahadah Hill and Gardmand, and dominating the axis of Haj Imran-Choman.[1]
The forces of the 64th Urumia Division, under the command of Colonel Ghazanfar Azarfar, with the support of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran, carried out this operation with the codename of “Ya Aba Salih Aderkani” at 00:00 on Wednesday, March 3, 1987, in the west of Piranshahr and the general area of Haj Imran, and at a depth of twenty kilometers into Iraq.[2] Lashkar soldiers surprised the Iraqi forces by marching for 24 hours in the snow.[3]
This operation is considered as one of single, semi-extensive operations.[4] The scope of this operation included the areas of Haj Imran, Darband Strait, Gardmand Heights, Tepe Sarkhi, Yal Kaleh Esbi and the southern slope of Gardiko Heights known as Shahadah Hill. The Haj Imran region is mountainous and difficult to pass and has many ridges. Height 2519 in Haj Imran, along with Varas, Shahadah, Nasr and Gardmand Heights, were of vital importance due to them having complete control over all areas of Choman Mustafa, Memikhalan, Navpardan, Shahada Hill, Nasr and Sadr Heights. Capturing them would also reduce the losses and waste of Iranian forces. The dominance of Iranian forces on the heights of Sidkan threatened the only axis of communication between Iran and Iraq, the Piranshahr-Ravandoz Road. By settling on the peak of 2519 and the nearby peaks of this height, the towns and villages of Shivresh, Haj Imran, Zaino, Mewtan, Rayat, Darband, No Pordan, Galala, Choman Mustafa and the Haj Imran Barracks were under the direct view of Iranian forces, making the area unsafe for Iraqi forces. It also allowed for the Iranian forces to easily continue advancing deep into Iraq from this area.[5]
During the first hour of the operation, the troops and rangers of the 64th Urumia Division advanced towards the Iraqi positions. After about one hour and forty minutes, this unit announced that the troops are stationed in battle formation near the Iraqi positions and that the engineering team and experts were busy creating a passage, neutralizing mines and cutting barbed wires.
After about two days of heavy fighting, and close combat in some instances, which was supported by artillery fire and air force helicopters, the Rangers Battalion succeeded in capturing the predetermined targets, suppressing the enemy's tanks and establishing their positions on the captured targets.[6]
The Kermanshah Air Force Base destroyed the Iraqi forces with three fire teams, trenches and dozens of armored devices by being stationed in the Pasuh Barracks. The 407th Engineering Battalion and Qom's Jihad Construction Team also played an important role in maintaining the achievements of the operation. They did this by building fortifications and roads in order to consolidate and stabilize the capture objectives.[7]
Iranian forces that participated in this operation included the 64th Urumia Division, the Ranger Battalion, the 103rd Infantry Battalion, the 115th Infantry Battalion, the 132nd Infantry Battalion, the 198th Infantry Battalion, the 167th Infantry Battalion, 120-mm mortar teams and other organizational weapons from the offensive and precautionary battalions, artillery and combat battalions that were under the control of the 2nd Brigade stationed in the relevant positions and three fire teams from the Kermanshah Air Force.[8]
On March 6, 1987, the 108th and 606th brigades of the 6th Iraqi Division went to the Haj Imran operational area to make up for the losses. But, they too suffered heavy losses and casualties due to the fire of the Iranian army. On March 7, 1987, due to the adverse weather conditions, the Iraqi forces attacked Patak, which resulted in a counter-strike from the Iranian forces. The Iraqis were forced to retreat, leaving behind a number of dead, wounded and captured soldiers, as well as burnt equipment.[9]
The forces of the 64th Urumia Division, after five days of confronting the enemy's tanks, were able to stabilize the objectives achieved in this region.[10]
Iranian forces captured the heights of 2519, Gardmand, Tepe Sarkhi, Yal Kaleh Esbi and about 50 square kilometers of Iraqi territory. They also took the Haj Imran Garrison out of the hands of Iraqi forces and captured Iraqi cities and towns, including Choman Mustafa.[11] Also, counter-revolutionary movements in this area were neutralized. In addition, nine Iraqi heavy artillery groups attempted to recapture the lost positions, but failed.[12]
In this operation, Major General Naser Yarqoli, one of the army commanders, was martyred.[13] About three thousand Iraqi forces were killed and wounded and 272 were captured.[14] Also, three tanks and dozens of vehicles, five ammunition depots and dozens of mortars belonging to the Iraqi forces were destroyed. Also, five tanks, dozens of vehicles, three personnel carriers, a significant number of weapons and a large amount of ammunition was seized.[15]
On the sixth and last day of the operation, i.e., March 9, 1987, the forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran attacked the enemy at 03:00 in order to completely destroy the Iraqi forces. At the invitation of the War Propaganda Headquarters, journalists from the world's media traveled to Iran and made videos, reports and photos of the conquests of Iranian soldiers and acknowledged Iran's victory in this operation.[16]
[1] Proof of epic and sacrifice, vol. 2, Tehran: Dafos Aja Publications, 2014, p. 17.
[2] Jafari, M., Atlas of Endless Battles, Tehran: Sore Sabz, 2004, p. 130.
[3] Ibid, p. 136.
[4] Dari, H., Guide Atlas 5: Record of Land Battles, Tehran: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Holy Defense Documentation and Research Center, 2002, p. 141.
[5] Proof of epic and sacrifice, vol. 2, p. 16.
[6] Ibid, p. 19.
[7] Ibid, pp. 22 and 23.
[8] Ibid, pp. 17 and 18.
[9] Samii, A., Descriptive record of operations of eight years of Holy Defense, Tehran: Vice-Chancellor of Propaganda and Publications of Vali-Faqih Representation in Ground Forces, 1997, p. 318.
[10] Jafari, M., Atlas of Eternal Battles, p. 130.
[11]Evidence of epic and sacrifice, vol. 2, p. 19.
[12] Ibid, p. 20.
[13] Jafari, M., Atlas of Eternal Battles, p. 130.
[14] Ibid, p. 130; Evidence of epic and sacrifice, vol. 2, p. 20.
[15] Jafari, M., Atlas of Eternal Battles, p. 130; Evidence of epic and sacrifice, vol. 2, p. 20.
[16] Samii, A., Descriptive record of operations of eight years of holy defense, pp. 318 and 319.
