The Raqabiyeh region is part of the Mishdāgh Heights in Khuzestan and was one of the front lines during the imposed war.

Raqabiyeh is the name of a hill and a gorge that form part of the Mishdāgh Heights. It is located 30 kilometers southwest of Shush, along the Abdolkhan– Ayn Khosh road. At the beginning of the imposed war, the enemy' s deployment in this strategic area gave it considerable control over the region.⁠[1]

In November 1980 (Aban 1359), the Iraqi Army crossed the Raqabiyeh Gorge in an attack and advanced to within 10 kilometers of the Karkheh River, but upon reaching Sheikh Shaye' village, south of the Shush front, it was halted because of the presence of Iranian Army forces, including the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 16th Qazvin Division, effective Air Force Aviation support, and the sandy and difficult terrain.⁠[2]

As the war continued, the Iraqi Army abandoned and withdrew from the Raqabiyeh region because of the difficulty of crossing the area' s deserts and the need to deploy large numbers of troops. Nevertheless, the possibility of enemy infiltration through the desert and a threat to the strategic Andimeshk– Ahvaz road remained from Shush to the Abdali area, since no Iranian forces were stationed there. The encounter between a large Iraqi Army patrol unit of approximately 400 personnel, which had been landed near Abdolkhan by a heliborne operation on 23 February 1981, and a company of the Iranian Army' s 55th Airborne Brigade demonstrated that the area was sensitive and vulnerable. Accordingly, Operation Raqabiyeh was carried out on 16 March 1981 (25 Esfand 1359) to drive back the enemy and block its route of infiltration.⁠[3]

In March 1981 (Esfand 1359), responsibility for the Raqabiyeh and Mishdāgh regions was transferred from the 21st Hamzeh Division to the 2nd Zanjan Brigade of the 16th Armored Division. In addition to defending the Raqabiyeh and Mishdāgh regions, the 2nd Zanjan Brigade was responsible for securing the Abdolkhan Bridge. The Army' s airborne company and artillery battalion, as well as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Basij forces stationed in the area, were also placed under the command of the 2nd Zanjan Brigade.⁠[4]

On 16 March 1981 (25 Esfand 1359), the 2nd Armored Brigade attacked Iraqi Army positions with the aim of capturing the Raqabiyeh and Doselk areas, destroying enemy forces, and severing their communications east of Mishdāgh and in the Shush region. The 247th Armored Cavalry Battalion of the 21st Division and other forces from that division were supposed to support the 2nd Brigade. The 2nd Brigade began the operation by organizing Combat Group 114 on the right flank, Combat Group 125 on the left flank, and Combat Group 251 Tank Group in reserve. Inflicting casualties and damage on the enemy, it halted the enemy' s advance east of the Karkheh River and gradually forced it to retreat. Ultimately, the forces of the 2nd Brigade were deployed south of the Abu Salibikhat⁠[5] and Raqabiyeh hills and were able to halt any potential enemy advance west of the Karkheh River.⁠[6]

The Raqabiyeh region was also a battlefield during Operation Fath ol-Mobin (1982).⁠[7]

In late winter 1982 (1360), Iranian military forces were preparing to attack the enemy. However, Iraq, having learned of the planned operation, attacked on 19 March 1982 (28 Esfand 1360) along two axes, the city of Shush and the Raqabiyeh Gorge, but its attack was halted by the resistance of Iranian forces.⁠[8]

Operation Fath ol-Mobin began on 22 March 1982 (2 Farvardin 1361), and the Raqabiyeh Gorge⁠[9] and Raqabiyeh Mountain were captured by Iran on 24 March 1982 (4 Farvardin 1361).⁠[10]

During the capture of Raqabiyeh, the Iraqi Army' s 96th Brigade was destroyed and its commander was captured⁠[11]; 20 enemy artillery pieces that had been abandoned north of Hill 167 were also captured intact.⁠[12]

In commemoration of the resistance of the combatants during the “ Raqabiyeh” operation, the book “ Calendar of the Sacred Defense (Ground Forces) “ has been titled “ Above Raqabieh”⁠[13]. The book “ Battle in Raqabieh”, published by " Pelak-e Eshgh, " is another work concerning Raqabieh⁠[14].