IRAQ/IRAN MILITARY SUMMARY (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00380R000100550001-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 17
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 3, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: February 10, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

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imagery analysis report
Iraq/Iran Military Summary
(s)
Secret
Secret
Z-20019/81
IAR-0023/81
10 FEBRUARY 1981
copy 17 9
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IRAQ/IRAN MILITARY SUMMARY,
(S)
1. (S/D) This report updates the most recent' in a series of imagery-derived reports on the Iraq/Iran
conflict and covers the period This report discusses deployed
ground forces in the forward areas, rear garrison units (Figure 1), airfields, naval bases, commercial
shipping, POL facilities, and related activity in Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. 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.
OVERVIEW
2. (S/D) Imagery of the forward areas of conflict provided evidence that a major battle had oc-
curred in the Susangerd area of Iran, although the positions of both forces have remained relatively
unchanged since December 1980 (Figure 2). There was also some reinforcement of forces on both sides,
including the introduction of Iraqi T-72 tanks in the forward area of conflict. Iranian forces still con-
trolled Ahvaz. Extensive flooding was seen throughout the Ahvaz/Susangerd area. Limited coverage of
Dezful and the Qasr-E Shirin areas showed little or no change in the force dispositions.
3. (S/D) Limited coverage of Iraqi rear garrison areas showed that Iraqi units which had departed
garrison prior to or since the start of the war remained out of garrison and that additional units were
departing garrison in the Baghdad area. Units remaining in garrison continued to disperse equipment
throughout their garrison areas. Iraqi forces had constructed a floating-deck bridge across the Shatt Al
Arab near Al Basrah. Major elements of the Iranian 16th Armor Brigade departed their garrisons at
Hamadan, while training continued in the Tehran area.
4. (S/D) FISHBED aircraft were deployed to newly operational Qayyarah Airfield in northern Iraq.
A continued decrease of F-4 aircraft was observed in the Tehran area, and a decrease in Iranian helicop-
ters was observed at Esfahan.
5. (S/D) There was limited coverage of Iraqi naval bases. Naval activity in Iran was at a low but
constant level.
6. (S/D) Construction continued on the large berm at one Iraqi POL facility, while initial construc-
tion of a berm was observed at another. A Hawk SAM site was newly occupied near the Khark Island
POL facility in Iran.
7. (S/D) Related activity included heavy vehicle traffic at Zakhu on the Iraqi/Turkish border; heavy
rail traffic at Jolfa on the Iranian/Soviet border; the relocation of an AW radar site in Iran; the continued
resupply of Iraq through Saudi Arabian ports on the Red Sea; and the presence of Iraqi, Soviet, Cuban,
and Kuwaiti merchant ships in Jordan.
GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY
Iraq/Iran Forward Areas
Susangerd/Ahvaz Area
8. (S/D) Indications that a major battle had taken place in the Susangerd area were evident on
imagery of late January and early February. Craters were seen throughout the area south and southeast of
Susangerd, and evidence of heavy shelling was seen at a former Iraqi tank company position. Evidence of
heavy shelling was also seen in the Iranian-occupied area east-southeast of Susangerd and south of the
Karkheh River.
9. (S/D) Additional significant activity seen in the Susangerd/Ahvaz area included the presence of
an Iraqi T-72-equipped tank unit in the town of Huveyzeh, south-southeast of Susangerd; the presence of
major Iranian reinforcements in the area east-southeast of Susangerd; and the advancement of Iranian
forces further south, in the area southeast of Susangerd, where they were in proximity to the Iraqi forces in
the area. Evidence of increased flooding throughout the entire Ahvaz/Susangerd area was also observed.
10. (S/D) Iraqi forces in the Susangerd area were deployed northwest of the city; south-southwest of
the city, in the Huveyzeh area; and southeast of the city. In the northwest, Iraqi forces deployed between I
and 7 nautical miles (nm) from Susangerd consisted of two tank companies, two mechanized infantry
companies, and a supply and transport unit. Iraqi forces in the Huvyzeh area, 7.5 nm south-southwest of
Susangerd included one tank company, one mechanized infantry company, two field-
deployed artillery batteries, one air defense battery, and a supply and transport unit. A T-72-equipped
tank company (Fi ure 3 a mechanized infantry company, and elements of a divisional engineer battalion
were in the area but had departed The only T-72-equipped unit in the Iraqi
army is an armor brigade of the 10th Armor Division which was last observed 65 nm northwest of Ahvaz
in Iraq No evidence of recent fighting was seen in the Huveyzeh area. Iraqi forces 8 nm
southeast of Susangerd consisted of a tank brigade, a mechanized infantry battalion, two artillery battal-
ions, and an AA battalion. A former Iraqi tank company position in this area (Figure 4) had sustained
substantial damage. Track activity suggested that most of the unit in this position had been destroyed by
heavy shelling.
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11. (S/D) Iranian forces in defense of Susangerd, deployed north of the Karkheh River north and
east of Susangerd, included two tank companies, one tank platoon, two mechanized infantry companies,
one mechanized infantry platoon, one M-107 SP gun battalion, one M-109A1 SP gun battery, and one FA
battery. Iranian forces south of the river, extending from Susangerd to a point 11 nm to the southeast,
consisted of one tank battalion, two tank companies, two mechanized infantry battalions, one mechanized
infantry company, four M-109A1 SP gun battalions, one M-109A1 SP gun battery, one reconnaissance
platoon, one infantry unit, and one AA battery (Figure 5). The four M-109A1 SP gun battalions, along
with a mechanized infantry battalion, represent reinforcements which had arrived in the area between
early December and late January. These SP gun battalions probably are the divisional artillery of an
Iranian armor division. Heavy fighting had occurred in this area, as evidenced by numerous impact craters
near the Iranian SP gun units along the Karkheh River.
12. (S/D) Iraqi forces in the Ahvaz area consisted of one tank battalion, two tank companies, three
mechanized companies, and two FA battalions deployed between 20 nm west and 13 nm southwest of the
city. An engineer unit was involved in road construction in the area west of Ahvaz.
13. (S/D) Iranian forces deployed southwest of Ahvaz in defense of the city consisted of one tank
company, one tank platoon, two mechanized infantry companies, two mechanized infantry platoons, two
M-109A1 SP gun battalions, and one M-109A1 SP gun battery. Iranian forces northwest of Ahvaz con-
sisted of one mechanized infantry platoon, one M-107 SP gun battery, and one M-109A1 SP gun battery.
In the Hamidiyyeh area, Iranian forces consisted of one tank company, two mechanized infantry platoons,
one M-107 SP gun battery, and a field logistics supply point.
14.(S/D) Iranian units remaining in garrison at Ahvaz Barracks Storage Depot Brigade and Division
Headquarters consisted of elements of two tank companies, a mechanized infantry battal-
ion, two 155mm SPG batteries, and an engineer company. Several BMK-90 powerboats, GSPs, and PMP
sections remained dispersed at the probable associated engineering depot 3.2 nm north of the barracks.
Ahvaz Airfield remained operational in support of Iranian forward combat units. Air
order-of-battle consisted of one C-130, one F-27, one Falcon, four probable AH-1 helicopters, five AB-214
helicopters, one Jet Ranger helicopter, and two probable derelict helicopters.
15. (S/D) The most extensive flooding was still in the areas northwest, west, and southwest of
Ahvaz. Of primary importance, the previously reported large antitank trench which had been constructed
in the northwestern sector of Ahvaz ppeared to be a manmade
canal to divert the Karun River, thus allowing the Iranians to flood the area southwest of the city (Figure
6). The canal/trench extended 8 nm from the Karun River in the north to the west-southwest Ahvaz/Khorram-
shahr road. Sluice gates have been installed between the Karun River and the canal/trench. An additional
canal/trench segment has also been constructed parallel to and north of the Ahvaz/Khorramshahr road, 7 nm
southwest of Ahvaz. Flooding was also evident in the Susangerd area, where a canal had been constructed 4 nm
southwest of Susangerd to facilitate flooding, and the Iranians apparently were pumping water out of the
Karkheh River 3 nm northeast of the city. Additional flooding was evident between Susangerd and Ahvaz.
16. (S/D) Iranian antitank ditches remained west and northwest of Ahvaz.
17. (S/D) Iraqi and Iranian units concentrated between 10 and 15 nm west of Dezful have remained
essentially unchanged (Figure 7). One Iraqi tank brigade and elements of a
mechanized infantry brigade remained 13.5 nm west of the cit
18. (S/D) Iranian forces which were still west of the Karkheh River consisted of two tank compa-
nies, one mechanized infantry company, and an infantry unit (the area where an FA battery was identified
No major movement of Iranian forces was observed on limited
coverage of the east bank Iranian units on the
east bank of the Karkheh River included one tank platoon, 2.5 nm north of Dezful Highway Strip C
and one SP gun battery, 4.5 nm north of the strip. A possible reconnaissance platoon,
observed at the western end of the strip had departed An SP gun battery
was 5 nm southeast of the highway strip
Qasr-E Shirin Area
19. (S/D) No Iraqi force deployment areas were imaged during the reporting period. In the Iranian
force deployment areas, only the Sar-E Pol-E Zahab Barracks and Brigade Headquarters and Depot E
area was imaged. Although some repositioning of units was observed, no significant changes
20. (S/D) Coverage of Iraqi rear garrison areas during the month indicated that most of the combat
units which had departed their garrisons prior to or since the start of the conflict were still out of garrison.
In mid-January, equipment was seen departing a barracks area in Baghdad, and additional armor and
mechanized infantry units had departed from two other barracks areas. Equipment dispersal continued to
be evident during the month at garrison areas in Kirkuk, Buzurgan, Balikayan, As Sulaymaniyah, Dibs, and
(Continued p. 8)
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SECRET
SYRIA
TURKEY
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ESFAHAN
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CASPIAN SEA
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FIGURE 1. IRAQI/IRANIAN GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY
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ABBAS
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 ,,JSANGERV
S
CANI`
f ,
c7 FLOODED AREAS
AREA (FEBA)
FORWARD EDGE OF THE BATTLE
AREA ON 3 DECEMBER
5
Nautical Miles
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ROAD I
NSTIlUCTION
M'9Al
r Section
Mechanized
infantry
Platoon ? Infantry
I Company!
battery
Battalion
Mechanized
CE mountain
infantry
Mountain
? infantry
l E l Self-pro-
.~ti fir. Gnnmt Brigade
~p 4
h '9maav t ~~~ - 1 Division El Artillery
UNA
Fig
r
lN.
-xx-Division ?Anti-tank
area
Recon-
171
EI Engineering
a Support/
transport
(+) equates to one additional maneuver
element
(-) equates to one less maneuver
element
RA
A ES
FIGURE 2. GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY, AHVAZ AREA, IRAN, FROM 26 JANUARY THROUGH 4 FEBRUARY 1981
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Squad Tank
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Baghdad. In the A] Basrah area by mid-January, the Iraqis had erected a floating-deck bridge with a removable
center section across the Shatt A] Arab (Figure 8).
21. (S/D) In Iran, coverage of rear area garrisons was limited. However, mobilization of Iranian
forces in the Hamadan area continued, training activity was evident in the Hajjiabad and Tehran areas,
and increased air defense activity was seen at Shahabad.
Iraq
22. (S/D) Movement of Iraqi equipment out of garrison was evident at Baghdad Barracks School
Corps Brigade Headquarters Depot Rashid during the month. A convoy of nine 60-ton
trailers (five with medium tanks) was parked on a main road in the facility. Track activity indicated that
the tanks had recently been onloaded.
23. (S/D) Additional movement of Iraqi units out of garrison was also evident. Two tank battalions
from Baghdad Barracks School and Depot Abu Ghurayb and a mechanized infantry
company from Baghdad Barracks Daudiya North had departed their garrisons by mid-
January.
24. (S/D) Major elements (at least one and probably two tank battalions, plus two mechanized infantry
companies) of the armor brigade of the 16th Armor Division at Hamadan Barracks and Brigade Headquarters
apparently departed garrison One tank company
and two mechanized infantry companies were all tat remained in garrison.
25. (S/D) Training observed during the reporting period included a mechanized infantry company
training adjacent to Hajjiabad Barracks and Brigade Headquarters and 500 people in
formation on a parade field at Tehran Barracks Imperial Guard Saltana
26. (S/D) A battery of four ZSU-23/4 SPAA guns had been deployed around Shahabad Barracks
Depot and Brigade Headquarters ) during the month.
27. (S/D) FISHBED aircraft had been deployed to a newly operational airfield in Iraq. In Iran,
activity appeared to be normal at both F-14 bases, while a steady decrease in F-4s was continuing at
another. Also, there was a decrease in helicopters at Esfahan, and the two remaining Rapier SAM sites at
Sharokhi AB Airfield were removed (Figure 9).
Iraq
28. (S/D) Two FISHBEDs and three helicopters had been deployed to Qayyarah Airfield West C
Evidence of probable aircraft deployment and upgrading of the operational
7 of this previously nonoperational airfield was observed
with the deployment of four AA sites and four GCI sites.
Iran
29. (S/D) In Iran, activity at the F-14 bases, Shiraz International Airfield and
Khatami AB Airfield appeared to be normal. There was, however, a continued decrease
in the number of F-4 aircraft at Tehran/Mehrabad International Airfield where only 12
F-4s were seen Twenty-four F-4s had been at the airfield and 15 had
been presen~
30. (S/D) There was a decrease in the number of helicopters at Esfahan Airfield
during the reporting period. only 30 CH-47s, 132 AH-1/AB214s, and 27 Jet Rangers
were present. Usually, 40 CH-47s and 188 UH-1-type helicopters (AH-1/AB-214 and Jet Ranger) are
present. The helicopters at the airfield continued to be dispersed in and around the
NAVAL ACTIVITY
31. (S/D) Limited coverage of Iraqi naval facilities precluded determining the level of Iraqi naval
activity. In Iran, naval activity at two facilities remained at a low but constant level (Figure 9).
32. (S/D) Continued activity related to a probable task force being used to patrol the Straits of
Hormuz was observed at Bandar Abbas Port Facilities Suru during the reporting period.
vessels absent from the port at least once included one Vosper MK-5
(Continued p. 14)
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Mechanized
mountain
i
f
n
antry
Battalion ? Mountain
infantry
FI]Brigace EK Self pro
? Infantry
(+) equates to one additional maneuver
element
equates to one less maneuver
element
t6 MQtttfleb
Ookhtar Barji
An sleK
Roknv
= FORWARD FOGS OF BATTLE AREA
~ Qa' ~. M