MILITARY ACTIVITY SUMMARY IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREA (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82T00709R000100390001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 12
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 29, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 1, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

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SECRET
MILITARY ACTIVITY SUMMARY
IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREA
1. (S/WN) This report is the most recent' in a series of imagery-derived reports on the Iraq/Iran
conflict. The report discusses the major Iranian offensive in the Dezful/Shush forward area (Figure 1)
F_ I
during the period
2. (S/WN) Military unit designators and subordination (where used) are derived from collateral
sources.2 Acronyms and abbreviations are defined in a glossary at the end of the report. Additional
reports will be issued as the situation changes.
OVERVIEW
3. (S/WN) Iranian infantry forces, supported by elements of two armor brigades and artiller
launched an attack against Iraqi forces west of the Karkheh River in the Dezful/Shush area between 25X1
This attack forced the Iraqis to reinforce their units and subsequently retreat to new ZOA-
defensive positions along the Iraq/Iran border.
DEZFUL/SHUSH FORWARD AREA
4. (S/WN) Between Iranian forces launched major offensives from the north and 25X1
south against Iraqi forces deployed 26 nm west of Dezful and 21 nm southwest of Shush (Figure 2). This
offensive forced a major Iraqi withdrawal and subsequent redeployment to new defensive positions in
Iran within 12 nm of the Iraq/Iran border. As a result of this operation, the Iranians were able to advance
west along a 40-nm front and reclaim approximately 800 square nm of territory that had been controlled
by Iraqi forces since the early days of the Iraq/Iran conflict.
5. (S/WN) Iranian forces involved in the northern offensive included a large infantry force sup-
ported by major elements of one armor brigade, one tank company, one armored reconnaissance com-
pany, two M-109A1 SPG battalions, one M-107 SPG battery, one FA battalion, two FA batteries, one
support and transport unit, and one engineering unit. By lead elements of these forces had 25X1
advanced 6 nm south and 2 nm west from their previous position 21 nm west of Dezful, forcing an Iraqi
armor brigade to withdraw and redeploy 31 nm west of Dezful.
6. (S/WN) Iranian forces involved in the southern offensive included a large infantry force sup-
ported by major elements of one armor brigade, one armored reconnaissance company, two M-109A1
SPG battalions, two FA battalions, one helicopter unit, and one CP. By this force had advanced 25X1
on two fronts to positions 10 and 12 nm southwest of Shush and forced the opposing Iraqi forces to
withdraw to new defensive positions 1 to 4 nm to the northwest.
7. (S/WN) On Iranian forces deployed on the east bank of the Karkheh River in sup
ort 25X1
p
of the offensive included one tank company, one mechanized infantry company, two M-109A1 SPG
batteries, two M-107 SPG batteries, one FA battalion, two FA batteries, one CP, one heavy-lift transport
unit, one support and transport unit, and one infantry unit.
8. (S/WN) Four major concentrations of Iraqi forces were deployed west of the Karkheh River onn 25X1
orlyl
west of Dezful. These forces redeployed to this area after as a result of the Iranian offensive. By 2
5X1
... ... J . I .. _
____
these forces had been forced to withdraw from thi
s
t
9. (S/WN) A second Iraqi force, whose lead elements were deployed approximately 19 nm north-
west of Shush on consisted of one armor brigade, one FA battalion
unit 25X1
and one infantr
,
y
. These forces, deployed a ong a northwest/southeast axis to reinforce the armor brigade deployed to the
northwest,-had been forced to withdraw from this area byF___1 25X1
10. (S/WN) Three Iraqi brigade-sized armor units, three FA battalions, one MRL battery, one SA-6
SAM battalion, one engineering unit, and one infantry unit were deployed in an area between 12 nm
northwest and 11.5 nm southwest of Shush onThese forces had been forced to withdraw from 5X1
this area by 25X1
11. (S/WN) One Iraqi armor brigade, one tank battalion, one mechanized infantry battalion, two FA
battalions, one MRL battery, two SA-6 battalions, one heavy-lift transport unit, one CP, one helicopter
unit, and two infantry units were deployed 15 nm west-southwest of Shush on Elements of the 25X1
armor brigade were parked in convoy formation near the rear of the deployment area and appeared to
be departing the area (Figure 3). The remaining elements of these units were forced to withdraw 9 nm to
the northwest between Additional artillery support for these forces, consisting of two 25X1
FA battalions, was deployed approximately 25 nm west-southwest of Shush.
12. (S/WN) By Iraqi forces had been forced to withdraw from positions they had occu- 25X1
pied since October 1980 and redeploy to new defensive positions 20 nm further to the west. Between n 25X1
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Iranian and reinforced Iraqi forces were observed redeploying and consolidating
their forces in the forward area (Figure 4). Iranian forces, whose lead elements were deployed in an area
37 nm west of Dezful, consisted of a large infantry force supported by one tank company, one armored
reconnaissance company, one M-109A1 SPG battery, and two FA batteries. An additional Iranian force,
deployed 10 nm to the northwest of these forces, included one tank battalion, one mechanized infantry
company, two FA batteries, and one infantry unit.
13. (S/WN) Iranian forces, whose lead elements were deployed 20 nm southwest of Shush, con-
sisted of one tank battalion, two tank companies, two M-109A1 SPG batteries, one M-107 SPG battery,
two FA batteries, and one infantry unit. Elements of the two tank companies were deployed along an
earthern berm in the area (Figure 5).
14. (S/WN) Iranian forces were deployed to the rear of the advancing forces along a line from 24
nm west-northwest of Dezful to 14 nm southwest of Shush, west of the Karkheh River. They consisted of
four tank companies, one tank platoon, one mechanized infantry company, two mechanized infantry
platoons, one M-109A1 SPG battery, one M-107 SPG battery, three FA batteries, and two support and
transport units.
15. (S/WN) Supporting Iranian forces, deployed on the east bank of the Karkheh River, consisted of
two tank companies, two mechanized infantry companies, two mechanized infantry platoons, one M-
109A1 SPG battalion, one M-107 SPG battery, and one heavy-lift transport unit. Additionally, captured
Iraqi military equipment from the Iranian offensive was observed at Dezful Military Park
on uiThe captured equipment consisted of five T-54/55 tanks, four medium tanks, two OT-
62 APCs, 11 BTR-60 APCs, one BMP APC, seven BRDM-2s, fifteen 122mm D-30 howitzers, eight 85/100mm
antitank guns, and three probable 57mm S-60 AAA pieces (Figure 6; not all equipment annotated on
graphic).
16. (S/WN) Iraqi forces deployed along the FEBA near the Iraq/Iran border, between 40 nm north-
northeast and 31 nm east of Al Amarah, consisted of major elements of one armor division (possibly the
3rd Armor Division), four armor brigades, one mechanized infantry brigade, and supporting units. Ele-
ments of two additional Iraqi mechanized infantry brigades (possibly elements of the 1st Mechanized
Infantry Division) and supporting units were deployed west of these forces.
17. (S/WN) An Iraqi armor division, one M-1974 SPG battalion, six FA battalions, one MRL battery,
and one infantry unit were deployed in Iran, 12 nm east of the Iraq/Iran border and 21 nm west of Shush.
Two additional armor brigades, five FA battalions, two FA batteries, one MRL battery, and one CP were
deployed immediately west of the Iraq/Iran border, south of the armor division and 31 nm east of Al
Amarah. One SA-2 battalion was deployed southwest of these forces, 21 nm east-southeast of Al Amarah.
A supporting Iraqi force, consisting of elements of one mechanized infantry brigade, one large infantry
unit, one FA battalion, three SA-6 battalions, one armored mobile field hospital unit, two heavy-lift
transport units, one support and transport unit, and one CP, was deployed in Iraq west-southwest of the
armor division and 20 nm northeast of Al Amarah.
18. (S/WN) Iraqi forces were deployed in Iran between 40 nm north-northeast and 34 nm northeast
of Al Amarah along the west bank of the Doveyrij River. They consisted of elements of two armor
brigades, one mechanized infantry brigade, and two infantry units. Elements of one tank company and
one mechanized infantry platoon remained deployed on the east bank of the Doveyrij River. A large
earthen berm was under construction west of the Doveyrij River (Figure 7). Supporting units for these
forces, consisting of four FA battalions, one MRL battery, two SA-6 battalions, one support and transport
unit, and one CP, were deployed to the west and southwest of the three brigades along the Iraq/Iran
border, 34 nm north-northeast of Al Amarah. An additional Iraqi force, consisting of elements of one
mechanized infantry brigade, two FA battalions, one SA-2 battalion, one support and transport unit, and
one CP, were deployed in Iraq, 26 nm north-northeast of Al Amarah.
19. (S/WN) A probable corps headquarters and one helicopter unit were deployed approximately 3
nm southwest of Al Amarah.
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 TURKEY
MOSUL
TEHRAN
SYRIA
KHANAGIN
AL AMARAF4
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KERMAN,S}IAH
AN NASIRIVAH
AL BASRAH
CASPIAN SEA
KHORRA
BANDAR E
SHAHPUR
SHAZ
BUSHHR
- INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY
PRINCIPAL ROAD
I PRINCIPAL RAILROAD
IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREA
ZAHEDAN
AFGHANISTAN
$CHAH
BAHAR
/ I GULF OF OMAN
NPIC T?3997
FIGURE 1. IRAQ/IRAN MILITARY ACTIVITY
Reuerse side blank
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BAGHDAD
DEZFUL
MASH HAD
r
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 AN
FORWARD EDGE OF THE BATTLE
AREA AS OF25X1
FORWARD EDGE OF THE BATTLE
AREA AS OF 25X1
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//
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FIGURE 2, GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY, DEZFUL/SHUSH AREA, IRAN , AS
blank
ReLEre .side
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J 5
I 1 1 1 1
Nautical Miles
UNIT SIZE
Squad
Section
U Division
- x - Brigade
area
-xx- Division
area
UNIT TYPE
Mechanized
infantry
Mechanized
? mountain
infantry
? Mountain
nfantry
fa
Self-pro-
r~ pelled gun
I ? I Artillery
Air defense
? Anti-tank
Recon-
isassa
nlssance
E1 Engineering
Support/
transport
(+) equates to one additional maneuver
element
(-) equates to one less maneuver
element
IAR-0043 82
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M--109A1
HE LICO PT
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FORCES /; . .P.] /
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FIGURE 4. COMPOSITE OF GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY, DEZFUL/SHUSH AREA, IRAN, 31 MARCH -10 APRIL 1982
Reverse side bfar h
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Nautical Miles
Squad J I Tank
Section Mechanized
? infantry
ciii:i Battalion
X
? Infantry
Mechanized
? mountain
infantry
Mountain
infantry
U Brigade -1 Self-pro-
pelled gun
Division LII Artillery
- x - Brigade Air defense
area
-xx- Division ? Anti-tank
area
? n
Recon-
aIssa
naissance
Engineering
Support
transport
(+) equates to one additional maneuver
element
(-) equates to one less maneuver
element
c3T \ PLC T-4000
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Iq
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(S/D) All applicable satellite imagery acquired from
report.
was used in the preparation of this 25X1
MAPS OR CHARTS
DOD. Joint Operation Graphics, Various Sheets (UNCLASSIFIED, Distribution Restricted)
DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC. Z-20162/81, IAR-0203/81 Military Activity Summar Iraq/Iran Forward Area, 5 September-5 October
1981 (S), 8 Oct 81 (SECRET 25X1
2. DIA. DDB-1100-IZ-81, Ground Order of Battle: Iraq (U), Mar 81 (SECRET 25X1
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to the Persian Gulf Section,
South Asia/Arabia Branch, Third World Forces Division, Imagery Exploitation Group, NPIC,
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Z-14556182 SECRET
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GLOSSARY OF
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
This glossary in its entirety is UNCLASSIFIED
AA Antiaircraft
AAA Antiaircraft artillery
AD Air defense
AOR Replenishment oiler
APB Barracks ship
APC Armored personnel carrier
AR Repair ship
ARD-D Floating drydock
ARD-T Auxiliary repair dock
AW Air warning
AWT Water carrier
AX Training ship
CP Command post
DD Destroyer
DDG Guided missile destroyer
DIW Dead in the water
ECM Electronics countermeasure
EW Early warning
FA Field artillery
FEBA Forward edge of battle area
FFG Guided missile frigate
GCI Ground controlled intercept
GSP Heavy amphibious ferry
LCM Medium landing craft
LCMA Medium landing craft (air cushion)
LCU Utility landing craft
LSM Medium amphibious assault landing ship
LST Amphibious vehicle landing ship
MRL Multiple rocket launcher
MSC Coastal minesweeper
MSF Fleet minesweeper
MSI Inshore minesweeper
NM Nautical mile(s)
PB Patrol boat
PBA Patrol boat (air cushion)
PBR River/roadstead patrol boat
PC Patrol craft
PCL Small submarine chaser
PCS Submarine chaser
PG Patrol escort
PGM Motor gunboat
PMP Heavy folding ponton bridge
POL Petroleum, oil, and lubricant
PRTB Missile assembly and checkout facility
PT Torpedo boat
PTG Missile attack boat
PTS Tracked amphibian
RTP Rail-to-road transfer point
RO/RO Roll-on/roll-off
SAM Surface-to-air missile
SP Self-propelled
SPAA Self-propelled antiaircraft
SPG Self-propelled gun
SSM Surface-to-surface missile
TEL Transporter-erector-launcher
TELR Transporter-erector-launcher radar
TMM Truck-mounted bridge
VLCC Very large crude carrier
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Secret
Secret
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