Kharazm (Zolfaghar strike) offensive operation
Meimak border height with its important geographical situation is located in the west of Islamic republic of Iran with a steep gradient towards east and mild gradient towards west. Having a desirable observation capabilities and a good monitoring advantage over surrounding areas, it is located in Ilam province.
Two old border stations of 1 Halaleh and Neykhazar at the west gradient extreme were destroyed at the beginning of war. Meimak Height was a matter of dispute between Iran and Iraq before the Islamic Revolution and some measures were taken to demarcate the borderlines but no optimum Result was obtained.
As it was mentioned in the defensive operations in the area before, the enemy captured part of Maimak height after beginning of the war and stabilized its position there. Kharazm operation was planned by Kermanshah 81st armor division of IRI army under Amin Operational Plan. 1st brigade of this division prepared Kharazm Operational Plan, namely Allah-o-Akbar on December 12th, 1980 and made necessary preparation for its conduction. The name of the brave commander of 217 tank battalion, of 81st division, Major Kharazmi, was used for naming this operation plan.
Kharazm tribesmen consider Meimak height and its western outskirts as their ancestral territory and have great faith and affection for the area. Commander of operation respected such faith and affection, an important factor which played a key role these people for reconnaissance measures and conduction of the operation.
Kharazm operation (Zolfaqar strike) was carried out in general area of Meimak with the code of(( ya Allah )) in which With unique bravery of Iranian combatants, army Aviation in particular and fearless martyrs like Ahmad Keshvary important parts of Meimak height were captured and major portion of borderlines was secured. In this regard, the key role of army Aviation and Air force in supporting the operation was undisputed.
Over a month by launching heavy counter attacks, Iraq tried to retaliate against its big defeat. But bravery and sacrifice of Islamic forces didn’t allow this happen and ultimately our forces were able to stabilize the occupied areas.
Surprise principle was responsible for this victory in such a way that even a week prior to the operation Iraqis didn’t know about the operation and had announced the situation as normal for their units.
Result:
- Kalleh Qandi, 620, 625 and 540 heights in north and south of operational area were occupied. -2,000 Iraqis were either killed or injured and 164 captured. -60 tanks, personnel carriers and vehicles were destroyed. 2 airplanes and 3 helicoptcrs were shot down. 2nd mountain infantry brigade and 7th tank battalion were destroyed up to 70 percent. 13 tanks, 2 personnel carriers, sonic Maliyootka rocket launchers and signal and miscellaneous equipment were seized by brave army combatants.
Source:
The book named: Atlas of Unforgettable Battles (Ground forces operations in eight years of holy defense)
Compilation: Staff Colonel Mojtaba Jafari
Other links:
Ouch-Soltan defensive operation (December 18th, 1980)
Susangerd defensive operation (November 23rd, 1980)
Ashura offensive operation (November 19th, 1980)
Offensive operation to free Susangerd (November 17th, 1980)
Defensive operation at the foot of Karkheh bridge (October 31st, 1980)
