Liberation of Khorramshahr

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Part of Iran-Iraq War

Date	November 1980 - May 24, 1982
Location	Khorramshahr, Khuzestan province, southwest Iran
Result	Iranian victory
Territorial changes	Iran retakes the city of Khorramshahr and pushes the Iraqis back to the border.

Belligerents

Iraq

Iran

Strength

70,000

Casualties and losses

6,000 dead,
19,000 captured,

Unknown; Casualties higher than that of Iraq.

v • d • e

Iran-Iraq War

Kaman 99 - Abadan - Morvarid - Dezful - Undeniable Victory - Khorramshahr - Samen-ol-A'emeh - Jerusalem Way - Jerusalem - Ramadan - Before the Dawn - Dawn 1 - Dawn 2 - Dawn 3 - Dawn 4 - Dawn V - Dawn 6 - Marshes - Kheibar - Badr - Cities - 1st Al Faw - Dawn 8 - Karbala 4 - Karbala-5 - Karbala-6 - Karbala Ten - Nasr 4 - Halabja - Zafar 7 - 2nd Al Faw - Mersad

Related U.S. operations

Earnest Will - Prime Chance - Eager Glacier - Nimble Archer - Praying Mantis

The Liberation of Khorramshahr was the Iranian recapture of the port city of Khorramshahr from the Iraqis on May 24, 1982 during the Iran-Iraq War. The Iraqis had captured the city early in the war on October 26, 1980. The successful retaking of the city was part of Operation Jerusalem. It is perceived as a turning point in the war and the liberation is celebrated in Iran on its anniversary, May 24.

1 Description of the battle
2 After the battle
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Description of the battle

The city remained in Iraqi hands until April of 1982, when the Iranians launched Operation Jerusalem to recapture the Khuzestan province. The first attack (April 24 to May 12) consisted of 70,000 Pasdaran (members of Iran's military, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) and succeeded in pushing the Iraqis out of the Ahvaz-Susangerd area. The Iraqis withdrew back to Khorramshahr and, on May 20th, launched a counter attack against the Iranians, which was repulsed. The Iranians then launched an all out assault on Khorramshahr, capturing two of the defense lines in the Pol-e No and Shalamcheh region. The Iranians gathered around the Shatt al-Arab (known as Arvand Rud in Iran) waterway, surrounding the city and, thus, beginning the second siege. The Iranians finally recaptured the city on May 24th after two days of bitter fighting.

[edit] After the battle

The line of Iraqi captives in Khorramshahr.

In re-taking the city, the Iranians captured some 19,000 soldiers from a demoralized Iraqi Army. Iranians celebrate the annivarsary of Liberation of Khorramshahr every year.

Iran was emboldened by its success in Khorramshahr. Some believe that this worked against Iran since Iran was at a great brgaining position to end the war. Iraq had signaled its readiness to end the war at this point. Other parties such as the Saudis had signaled their willingness to help Iraq in paying reperations to Iran. But emboldened by their win, some elements in Iran opted to continue the war. As a result, the next six years of the war was an exercise in futility for both parties.

On the other hand, Saddam was shocked and angry at the defeat in Khorramshahr. He ordered the execution of a number of top Iraqi officers responsible for defence of Khorramshahr.