Operation Mersad

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Operation Mersad
Part of Iran-Iraq War
Mojahedin army was destroyed in 1988
Date 1988 Location Western borders of Iran Result End of the Iran-Iraq War Both sides claim victory Iranian victory in the northern sector Iraqi victory in the central sector Stalemate in the southern sector Iraqi invasion of Iran fails Defeat of the Khalq-e-Mujahedin and destruction of their army execution of 1,400-30,000 prisoners Territorial changes Most Iranian troops are expelled from Iraq except in the northern sector; Iran holds onto the Shatt-Al-Arab waterway
Belligerents
People's Mujahedin of Iran (NLA)  Iraq	Iran PUK (only in the northern sector)
Commanders
Massoud Rajavi	Ali Sayed Shirazi
Strength
10,000	10,000
Casualties and losses
2,000-10,000 KIA 1,400-30,000 executed	400 KIA (Iranian claim)

Operation Mersad was the name given by the Iranian government to its successful counterattack against a July 1988 military incursion from Iraq by a military force of about 7000 members of the People's Mujahedin of Iran, armed and equipped and given air support by Saddam's Iraq. The operation started in July 26 and lasted only a few days, and was the last military operation of any significance of the Iran-Iraq War.

[edit] Prelude

After 8 years of bloody warfare, the Iran Iraq War was coming to an end with the UN Security Council Resolution 598. It is thought Iraq supported the attack to pressure Iran into a more favorable settlement. The Mujahedin under their leader Massoud Rajavi harbored the unrealistic hope that the attack would lead to a general uprising against the Islamic government of Ayatollah Khomeini. Rajavi would lead the Mujahedin with Iraqi support in an attack on the western borders of Iran.^[1]

[edit] Events

Under the codename Foroughe Javidan (Eternal Shining), the Mujahedin started their ten day operation after the Iranian government accepted UN Resolution 598. While Iraqi forces attacked Khuzestan, the Mujahedin attacked western Iran and battled the Pasdaran for Kermanshah. Close air support from the Iraqis contributed heavily to the small gains the Mojahedin made into Iran, including the seizing and razing to the ground the small Iranian city of Islamabad-e Gharb.

However, under heavy international pressure for ending the war, Saddam Hussein withdrew his fighter aircraft and the sky opened for the Iranian airborne forces to be deployed behind Mojahedin lines. The operation ended in a Bay of Pigs style disaster for Mojahedin. Casualties ranged from 2,000 to 10,000. Tehran claims to have killed 4500 NLA and Iraqi troops during the operation.^[2]

[edit] Aftermath

Main article: 1988 executions of Iranian prisoners

At least in part as a response to Operation Mersad, Iran systematically executed thousands of political prisoners across the country, mainly members of the Mujahedin e-Kalq but also members of the Tudeh Party (Communist Party) and other opposition groups.^[3]

The estimates for number of executions vary from around 1,400 ^[4] to 30,000^[5][6].

[edit] See also

• 1988 executions of Iranian prisoners
• Bay of Pigs Invasion

[edit] References

1. ^ Hiro, Dilip, The Longest War, (1999), p.246-7
2. ^ Hiro, Dilip, The Longest War, (1999), p.246-7
3. ^ Iranian party demands end to repression
4. ^ Massacre 1988 (Pdf)
5. ^ Memories of a slaughter in Iran
6. ^ Khomeini fatwa 'led to killing of 30,000 in Iran'

[edit] Bibliography

[edit] External links

• sajed.ir in English - The Official site of Holy Defiance - Iraq-Iran War 1980-88