Groups, Institutions, Organiza
Khuzestan 92nd Armored Division
Mohsen Shri-Muhammad
21 دورہ
The Khuzestan 92nd Armored Division is one of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Force units that stood up to the enemy from the very beginning of the Iran–Iraq War.
This unit was founded in 1929 under the name Ahvaz Infantry Regiment. It later underwent changes, becoming an infantry brigade and then the 6th Infantry Division. The 6th Division, which included the 14th Regiment, a training regiment, and a headquarters, originally followed a Russian-style structure but switched to a Western military model in 1959 under the “Modern Army” reorganization plan, operating as the 8th Armored Division with three brigades. In 1968, it was renamed the 92nd Armored Division, and it has remained under that name ever since.
The brigades 1, 2, and 3 of the 92nd Division were based in Ahvaz, Dezful, and Dasht-e Azadegan, respectively. Before the Islamic Revolution, the division was equipped with advanced armored weapons, including Chieftain tanks, making it one of the most powerful military units in the region. It has been said that whenever the 92nd Division held training maneuvers, Iraqi army would go on high alert.
After the Islamic Revolution, like other Army Ground Force units, the 92nd Armored Division experienced a decline in operational capability as the country was undergoing a transition from the Pahlavi regime. Its manpower dropped to under 40 percent, with many personnel either transferred or discharged.[1]
By September 1980, at the outbreak of the war, the division, despite its limited resources and the challenging circumstances, managed to carry out its mission in the designated area. Some units of Brigade 1 and Battalion 151 were deployed across Shalamcheh to Khoshk. Other forces of Brigade 1 and artillery units were stationed in Jufair and Talaieh. Brigade 3 covered Dasht-e Azadegan, operating in the Chazabeh pass and Bustan. Dezful 2nd Brigade, along with the 282nd Armored Cavalry Battalion and the 37th Armored Group, covered Ain-Khosh and Fakkeh.
Aside from halting enemy advance forces, the division also participated in the liberation of Karkheh Bridge on October 5, 1980, Operation Dobbe-Hardan on October 7, Operation Susangerd on November 13, Operation Nasr on January 10, 1981, and the liberation of the Allah Akbar Hills on June 2, 1981.[2]
The 92nd Division also played a role in the series of operations aimed at liberating Khuzestan. In November-December 1981, Brigade 3 joined Operation Tariq al-Qods north of the Karkheh River alongside units from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).[3]
During Operation Beit al-Muqaddas, all three brigades of the 92nd Armored Division took part under the Fath Headquarters in coordination with IRGC forces. In Operation Ramazan, again under Fath Headquarters, the division was the core striking force in the initial phase.[4]
The 92nd Division served in Operation Kheibar under Karbala 3 Headquarters along with IRGC units, contributing to the capture of Majnoon Island.[5] In 1984, it took over responsibility for protecting the area between Bubiyan Post and Faw. It also deployed six battalions to Majnoon Island in Operation Badr.[6]
In February 1986, the division’s artillery unit supported IRGC forces in Operation Valfajr 8, which led to the capture of Faw.[7]
During the war, 4500 personnel of the 92nd Armored Division were martyred, 1979 were wounded, and 2130 taken prisoner. Among its key commanders during the Iran-Iraq War were Brigadier General Gholam-Reza Qassemi-Nou (deceased), Major General Masoud Monfared Niyaki (martyred), and Major General Hassan Aqarebparast (martyred).[8]
In 2011, following strategic reforms outlined in the Samen Plan, the brigades of the 92nd Armored Division were reorganized into independent units. The plan, which emphasized balanced force distribution and territorial defense along Iran’s borders, led to the creation of Ahvaz 192nd Armored Brigade, Dezful 292nd Armored Brigade, and Dasht-e Azadegan 392nd Armored Brigade. These units are still operationally overseen by 92nd Division Headquarters.
Currently, the brigades under the 92nd Division are equipped with modern and advanced tanks and weaponry, ready to be deployed whenever necessary.[9]
One of the Army Ground Force’s key missions in peacetime is supporting relief agencies during natural disasters. In Khuzestan Province, the 92nd Division served as the main Army unit supporting the population in times of crisis. For instance, during the 2018 flood in Khuzestan, its units were actively involved in humanitarian relief efforts.[10]
Today, Brigadier General Ali Khoda-Rahmi commands the 92nd Armored Division.[11]
[1] Jan Barkafan-e Jonub (Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives in Southern Iran), Mahname-ye Saf, No. 364, Esfand 1389 and Farvardin 1390, Pp. 89, 90.
[2] Khabargozari Javan (Javan News Agency), 19 Farvardin 1397, www.javanonline.ir/fa/news/900990
[3] Dorudian Muhammad, Tajziye va Tahlil-e Jang-e Iran va Araq (Analysis of the Iran-Iraq War), Vol. 2, Tehran, Markaz-e Motaleat va Tahqiqat-e Jang, 4th Edition, 1384, p. 182.
[4] Hussaini Seyyed Yaqoub, Amaliat-e Ramazan (Operation Ramazan), Tehran, Iran Sabz, 1393, Pp. 59, 74.
[5] Hussaini Seyyed Yaqoub, Nabardha-ye Sal 1362 ta Payan 1364 (Battles from 1983 to End of 1985), Tehran, Iran Sabz, 1390, Pp. 321-328.
[6] Ibid., Pp. 435, 452.
[7] Asadi Heybatollah, Artesh dar Faw (Army in Faw), Tehran, Iran Sabz, 1387, p. 108.
[8] Khabargozari Javan (Javan News Agency), 19 Farvardin 1397, www.javanonline.ir/fa/news/900990
[9] Baraye Hargune Amaliat-e Rezmi va Mamuriyati Amadeim – Goftogu ba Farmande Tip 392 (Ready for All Combat Operations – Interview with Commander of Brigade 392), Mahname-ye Saf, No. 444, Tir 1397, Pp. 56-57;
Akbari Hamid-Reza, Defa Muqaddas Dowre-i Eftekharamiz (Sacred Defense; Period of Pride), Mahname-ye Saf, No. 463, Esfand 1398, p. 14;
Khabargozari Defa Muqaddas (Sacred Defense News Agency), 29 Mehr 1401, www.defapress.ir/fa/news/517146
[10] Akbari Hamid-Reza, Ibid., p. 15.
[11] Khabargozari Defa Muqaddas (Sacred Defense News Agency), 20 Esfand 1400, www.defapress.ir/fa/news/511225
