Iran (IMNA) - The city had been under occupation for 575 days, since September 1980, when Saddam Hussein’s forces invaded Iran, marking the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War.
The Iraqi invasion commenced on September 22, 1980, targeting border cities and airfields across Iran. Saddam Hussein, backed by regional and Western powers angered by Iran’s Islamic Revolution, had miscalculated the resistance he would face. He expected the Arabic-speaking population in Khuzestan province to support his forces, but instead, the defenders of Khorramshahr, despite being few in number and less equipped, mounted a fierce defense that delayed Iraqi control for over a month and a half.
In April 1982, Iran launched Operation Beit al-Moqaddas to reclaim the southwestern territories, culminating in the recapture of Khorramshahr after intense fighting. The operation involved approximately 70,000 Iranian troops who overcame two Iraqi defensive lines and laid siege to the city near the Shatt al-Arab waterway. The final phase included fierce street battles lasting two days before the city was fully liberated.
The battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Approximately 6,000 Iranian soldiers were martyred, with nearly 24,000 injured. Iranian forces captured around 19,000 Iraqi soldiers, and it is estimated that the Baathist regime lost nearly half of its troops during the battle for Khorramshahr. The Iraqi forces also suffered heavy losses in tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery.
The liberation of Khorramshahr, often referred to as the "Epic of Khorramshahr," marked a turning point in the eight-year war. It shattered the morale of the Iraqi military and its backers, who had supplied Saddam’s forces with sophisticated weaponry, including chemical arms. Following this victory, Iran took the offensive, forcing the Iraqi regime and its allies into a defensive posture and prompting calls for ceasefire negotiations.
The anniversary of Khorramshahr’s liberation is commemorated annually in Iran as a symbol of national unity, heroism, and resilience against foreign aggression. Military experts and commanders have recognized the operation as one of Iran’s greatest military achievements, highlighting the faith and determination of Iranian soldiers despite facing a better-equipped enemy.
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