Editing Iran–Iraq War (section)

====Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas====
[[File:Me, Iraqi war tank.jpg|thumb|Iraqi [[T-62]] tank wreckage in Khuzestan province, Iran]]

In preparation for [[Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas]], the Iranians had launched numerous air raids against Iraqi air bases, destroying 47 jets (including Iraq's brand new [[Mirage F-1]] fighter jets from France) and gaining air superiority and the ability to monitor Iraqi troop movements.<ref name="Farrokh 03" />

On 29 April, Iran launched the offensive. 70,000 Revolutionary Guard and Basij members struck on several axes—Bostan, Susangerd, the west bank of the Karun River, and Ahvaz. Basij human wave attacks were followed up by the regular army and Revolutionary Guard support along with tanks and helicopters.<ref name="Farrokh 03" /> Under heavy Iranian pressure, the Iraqi forces retreated. By 12 May, Iran had driven out all Iraqi forces from the Susangerd area.<ref name=efraimkarsh />{{rp|36}} The Iranians captured several thousand Iraqi troops and a large number of tanks.<ref name="Farrokh 03" />

The Iraqis retreated to the Karun River, with only Khorramshahr and a few outlying areas remaining in their possession.<ref name=pollack04 /> Saddam ordered 70,000 troops to be placed around the city of Khorramshahr. The Iraqis created a hastily constructed defence line around the city and outlying areas.<ref name="Farrokh 03" /> To discourage airborne commando landings, the Iraqis also placed metal spikes and destroyed cars in areas likely to be used as troop landing zones. Saddam Hussein even visited Khorramshahr in a dramatic gesture, swearing that the city would never be relinquished.<ref name="Farrokh 03" /> However, Khorramshahr's only resupply point was across the Shatt al-Arab{{NoteTag|name=waterway}}, and the Iranian air force began bombing the supply bridges to the city, while their artillery zeroed in on the besieged garrison.

=====Second Battle of Khorramshahr=====
{{Main|Battle of Khorramshahr (1982)}}
[[File:Capture in Khorramshahr.jpg|thumb|right|Iraqi soldiers surrendering after the [[Battle of Khorramshahr (1982)|Liberation of Khorramshahr]]]]
In the early morning hours of 23 May 1982, the Iranians began the drive towards Khorramshahr across the [[Karun River]].<ref name=efraimkarsh /> This part of Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas was spearheaded by the 77th Khorasan division with tanks along with the Revolutionary Guard and Basij. The Iranians hit the Iraqis with destructive air strikes and massive artillery barrages, crossed the Karun River, captured [[bridgehead]]s, and launched human wave attacks towards the city. Saddam's defensive barricade collapsed;<ref name="Farrokh 03" /> in less than 48 hours of fighting, the city fell and 19,000 Iraqis surrendered to the Iranians. A total of 10,000 Iraqis were killed or wounded in Khorramshahr, while the Iranians suffered 30,000 casualties.<ref>{{cite book|last=Keegan|first=John|title=The Iraq war|year=2004|publisher=Knopf|location=New York|isbn=978-1-4000-4199-2|author-link=John Keegan|url=https://archive.org/details/iraqwar00keeg}}</ref> During the whole of Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas, 33,000 Iraqi soldiers were captured by the Iranians.<ref name="Farrokh 03" />