This list of extensive Iranian ground operations in the Iran-Iraq war introduces 28 of the most important Iranian ground operations during the eight years of the Iran-Iraq war, which are known as extensive operations. In this article, extensive operations are classified into 3 categories, northern front, middle front and southern front, based on the operational front. The set of information introduced for each operation includes: the name of the operation, the date of the start and end of the operation, the area of the operation, the code of the operation, the forces operating in each operation and a summary of the most important achievements in each operation.
The eight-year Iran-Iraq war commenced on September 22, 1980, though signs of Saddam HusseinâÂÂs intent to invade Iran had been apparent for several months prior. Initial clashes with Iraq erupted in the west on September 4, 1980, while minor skirmishes along the southern border began on September 13. The following day, September 14, marked the first martyr of the war in the south, a soldier from the Omidiyeh Corps. In response to this aggression, IranâÂÂs courageous forces mobilized to defend their homeland, conducting numerous operations across land, air, and sea with exceptional dedication. Operation Kaman 99, also known as Operation Shadow of Alborz, was a major Iranian air assault launched on the warâÂÂs first day and is regarded as the largest Air Force military operation. This mission involved 200 Iranian aircraft, 140 of which penetrated Iraqi airspace to strike military installations, airfields, and hangars, including Kirkuk, Rashid, Ali, and Al-Taqaddum Air Bases, as well as targets in Mosul, Nasiriyah, Shuaibiyah, Kut, Basra, Umm Qasr, Al-Muthanna, and Baghdad International Airport. The remaining 60 planes provided essential support during the operation. Given the strategic and economic significance of the Al-Bakr and Al-Amaya oil platforms for the BaâÂÂathist regime, IranâÂÂs Navy targeted these installations from the outset. In November 1980, through two naval operationsâÂÂâÂÂAshkanâ and âÂÂShahid SafariâÂÂâÂÂIran successfully destroyed these key oil terminals, thereby crippling the enemyâÂÂs oil export capabilities and inflicting economic hardship.
IranâÂÂs first cross-border operation during the Holy Defense was Operation Ramadan, launched on June 13, 1982, at 21:30 under the code âÂÂYa Saheb al-Zaman Adrekni.â Conducted in the southwestern region, it aimed to push enemy forces away from Iranian cities and destroy their equipment and personnel. This operation unfolded in five stages, lasting until August 18, and was executed across four axes by the Karbala headquarters. Its objective was to liberate a 1,600-square-kilometer triangular area beyond the international border. This zone was bounded by Shalamcheh and the Ahvaz-Khorramshahr road to the east, Koshk, Talaieh, and border posts south of Hoveyzeh and the southern edge of Hoor al-Hoveyzeh to the north, and the Arvand River extending to Shalamcheh east of Basra to the south. While both popular and military forces engaged in guerrilla activities, IranâÂÂs first ground offensive, known as the Andimeshk operation, occurred on October 15, 1980. It took place west of Naderi Bridge and the Karkheh River, at the Qahveh Khaneh intersection, aiming to halt the Iraqi armyâÂÂs advanceâ¦