Operation Dawn 3

Operation Dawn 3
Part of Iran–Iraq War
Date30 July – 9 August 1983
(1 week and 3 days)
Location
Result

Iraqi victory

  • Iranian offensive failure
  • Iraqi counter-attack succeeds
Territorial
changes
Iraq captures Mehran
Belligerents
 Iraq  Iran
Strength
60,000 180,000
Casualties and losses
6,000 killed
60 tanks lost[1]
7,000 killed
15,000 wounded[1]

Operation Dawn 3 or Operation Valfajr-3 (Persian: عملیات والفجر-۳) was an operation during the Iran–Iraq War. The operation was launched in the range of "semi-extensive operation" located in the general area of Mehran (in Ilam Province);[2] and eventually led in the liberation of Mehran by Iranian forces.[3] Iran's goals of the operation were as follows:

  • Liberation of Mehran city from the eye/range of the enemy
  • Making facility in the relation of "DehloranMehran" and also "Ilam–Mehran"
  • Modulation of defense lines against the enemy (Iraq), and pulling it from the heights to plain(s).[4]

It was Iran's worst defeat out of all the Dawn operations. Around 180,000 Iranian troops participated in this offensive, which targeted the central front in the region of Mehran.[5] However, withering Iraqi firepower in support of deeply entrenched troops slaughtered the advancing Iranians. Although Iranian troops were highly motivated, they were poorly trained and equipped for this battle. For Iran, the operation was a disaster.

The Iraqis struck back by emerging from their trenches to counterattack into Iran and capture Mehran, for the second time.

  1. ^ a b Razoux, Pierre (2015). The Iran-Iraq War. Harvard University Press, 2015. p. 251. ISBN 978-0674915718.
  2. ^ Walfajr-3 operation, a victor operation yjc.ir Retrieved 9 November 2019
  3. ^ How did Walfajr-3 operation led in the liberation of Mehran? mashreghnews.ir Retrieved 9 November 2019
  4. ^ Operation Walfajr-3 aviny.com Retrieved 3 November 2019
  5. ^ Karsh, Efraim (2014-06-06). The Iran–Iraq War 1980–1988. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781472809995.

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