MILITARY ACTIVITY SUMMARY, IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREAS, (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00380R000100130001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 23, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 20, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/23: CIA-RDP81TOO38OR000100130001-8
Imagery analysis report
Military Activity Summary,, Ira /Iran
Forward Areas,
Secret
Z-20046/81
IAR-0046/81
20 MARCH 1981
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 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/11/23: CIA-RDP81TOO38OR000100130001-8
MILITARY ACTIVITY SUMMARY, IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREAS,
1. (S/D) This report summarizes the Iraqi/Iranian military activity in the Khorramshahr/Abadan and
Ahvaz areas observed on imagery through Figure 1).
2. (S/D) Military unit designators and subordination (where used) are derived from collateral sources.'
Acronyms and abbreviations are defined in a glossary at the end of the report. Additional reports will be issued as the
situation changes.
3. (S/D) Partial coverage of the Khorramshahr/Abadan and Ahvaz forward areas was acquired during the
reporting period. The forward edge of the battle area appeared to be unchanged in both areas. Iranian forces in the
Khorramshahr/Abadan area continued to improve their combat posture. Iranian forces had been reinforced in
the northwest and southwest Ahvaz area. The Susangerd, Dezful, Mandali, and Qasr-E Shirin areas were not
imaged during the reporting period.
GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY
Khorramshahr/Abadan Area
4. (S/D) Iraqi forces remained in control of Khorramshahr, north of the Karun River during the reporting
period (Figure 2). However, Iranian forces in the Abadan area continued to improve their combat posture.
5. (S/D) Iraqi forces deployed east-northeast of Abadan on
mechanized infantry battalions, and two AA batteries.
included three tank companies, two
6. (S/D) Two Iraqi tank companies, one mechanized infantry platoon, and one heavy-lift transport unit had
been removed from an area approximately 9 nm northwest of Khorramshahr between An
engineer unit and a supply and transport unit remained deployed in this area. An additional engineer unit, consisting
of at least seven GSPs and two PTSs also had been removed from an area 5 nm north-northwest of Khorramshahr
between One FA battery, observed on remained deployed in this area. One tank
company and one mechanized infantry platoon, observed on remained deployed approximately 5 nm
north of Khorramshahr. In Khorramshahr, one Iraqi tank platoon remained deployed at the northeast end of the
bridge spanning the Karun River and linking Abadan to Khorramshahr. Two FA batteries remained deployed 6
nm northeast of Khorramshahr. The remainder of the Iraqi forces' deployment areas northeast of Khorramshahr
along the Karun river were not imaged.
7. (S/D) On the west bank of the Shatt Al Arab in Iraq three Ira i mortar batteries and one AA battery
remained deployed 2 nm west-southwest of Khorramshahr on One 130mm M-46 FA battalion, one
mortar battery, and two AA batteries remained deployed 5 nm south of Abadan. One FA battalion, two FA bat-
teries, and one AA battery have been removed from an area 6 nm south of Abadan since
8. (S/D) Iranian forces in defense of Abadan on~consisted of four tank platoons, three mechanized
infantry platoons, two FA batteries, one AA battery, and two infantry units. A ponton bridge was newly observed
across the Rudkhaneh-Ye Bahmanshir River, 5 nm southeast of Abadan, at 30-19-11 N 048-20-31 E. This bridge was
present on
9. (S/D) One FA battery was newly deployed 17 nm southeast of Abadan between
This battery may have relocated from a point 7 nm southeast of Abadan where one FA battery and one AA battery
had been removed since A second FA battery and one AA battery remained 11 nm southeast of Abadan.
10. (S/D) Activity continued at the two Iranian resupply points southeast of Abadan on At the
northernmost resupply point, 14.5 nm southeast of Abadan, approximately 35 small boats and five barges were
moored adjacent to the shore. Two truck-mounted cranes, one crawler crane on a barge, and approximately 25 cargo
trucks were in the area. At the southernmost resupply point, 18 nm southeast of Abadan, three small boats and two
barges were moored adjacent to the shore. A PMP bridging unit, one RH-53 helicopter, one CH-47 helicopter, two
truck-mounted cranes, two crawler cranes on barges, and 20 cargo trucks were in the area. The resupply point was
defended by one AA battery.
11. (S/D) Iranian forces deployed along the Abadan-to-Bandar-E Mashur pipeline, 6 nm northeast of Abadan
on consisted of two tank platoons and two mechanized infantry platoons. The remainder of the Iranian
force deployment areas were not imaged.
12. (S/D) Although minor repositioning of forces has occurred since ~ major elements of an
Iraqi armor brigade with supporting artillery remained deployed between 12 and 19 nm west-southwest of Ahvaz on
(Figure 3). This unit was previously deployed in an area 5 nm east of its present position until diverted
floodwaters of the Karkeh and Karun Rivers forced the abandonment of those positions between
Although water levels in the previously reported flooded areas appeared to be receding slightly, Iraqi construction of
dikes to protect their positions continued.
WNINTE'L
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13. (S/D) Forward elements of a mechanized infantry brigade, deployed 14 nm southwest of Ahvaz onL
were observed on These units consisted of two tank platoons and two mechanized infantry pla-
toons. The remainder of the brigade's deployment area was not imaged.
14. (S/D) Iranian forces in the Ahvaz area have been reinforced since0 Some of these reinforce-
ments may have been present as early as Iranian forces deployed between 6 and 14 nm southwest of Ahvaz
consisted of four tank companies, three tank platoons, two mechanized infantry companies, one mechanized infantry
platoon, two NI- 109A 1 SPG battalions, and one M- 109A 1 SPG battery ono Newly deployed Iranian forces
8 nm northwest of Ahvaz consisted of one tank company and one M- 109A 1 SPG battalion. The previously identified
mechanized infantry platoon remained deployed in this area.
15. (S/D) Two Iranian tank platoons and two mechanized infantry companies were newly deployed 13 nm
northwest of Ahvaz on Some of these forces may have redeployed from area 2 nm to the southwest,where
two mechanized infantry platoons, one M- 109A 1 SPG battery, and one M- 107 SPG battery had been removed since
In addition, two Iranian tank platoons and one mechanized infantry platoon were newly deployed 14 nm
west-northwest of Ahvaz. A field logistics supply point remained 15 nm northwest of Ahvaz.
16. (S/D) No additional construction was observed on the trench blocking the northwest approach to Ahvaz.
This trench remained full of water. Iranian antitank trenches remained west and northwest of the city. Ground forces
equipment continued to decrease at Ahvaz Barracks Storage Depot Brigade and Division Headquarters
Equipment remaining in garrison consisted of elements of one tank company and a mechanized infantry
ements of two tank companies and elements of two M-109A1 SPG batteries departed garris
battalion. Several BMK-90 powerboats, GSPs, and PMP bridging sections remained dispersed at the probable
associated engineer depot 3.2 nm north of the barracks.
IMAGERY
(S/D) All applicable satellite imagery acquired from
MAPS OR CHARTS
DoD. Joint Operations Graphics, Various Sheets (UNCLASSIFIED, Distribution Restricted)
DOCUMENTS
1. DIA. DDB- 1100-IZ-80, Ground Order of Battle: Iraq (U). Jan 80 (SECRET
DIA. DDB-1100-IR-78, Ground Order of Battle: Iran (U), Aug 78 (SECRE"
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to the South Asia/Arabia Branch, Third
World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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 SYRIA
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FIGURE 1. IRAQI/IRANIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY
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AL AMARAH
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IA R-0046/81
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