Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – February 27, 1984

I called the front early in the morning. They reported in code that out of the three axes that were supposed to be implemented, they were relatively successful in Uzair, there was little progress in Korna, and they were not implemented at all in the Talaiyeh-Jazirah axis. In the island, because the enemy forces had entered the island, the force was only used to expel them and the enemy was destroyed.

I went to the parliament and read the reports. Yesterday they also hit the two cities of Islamabad, Gharb and Kohdasht. I said something about this before the recipe. I left the assembly to Mr. Yazdi and went to serve the Imam.

I gave a report on the state of war. Imam was worried; They had received a disturbing report from Mr. Sayad [Shirazi]. With my explanation, a discount was obtained. I explained the important objectives of the operation to Imam. They were also of the opinion that cutting off the Basra-Baghdad road would cause an irreparable blow to the Iraqi Baath. I told them that I am thinking of ending the war through these goals. They smiled and did not answer.

At eleven o'clock we flew from the airport to Dezful. Mehdi was also with me. From Vahdati base, we went to Khatam al-Anbia camp by helicopter. They informed that the [Iraqi army] applied a lot of pressure and used chemical bombs in the Uzair region. The use of chemical weapons on this scale shows that Saddam's supporters have left his hand free for any evil and crime. They seem to have realized that the goal of the Khyber operation is very important and strategic. If our forces stay on the Tigris coast, the main road between Baghdad and Basra will be cut off and Basra will be in serious danger. But our forces cannot stay. All the commanders gathered in the camp and decisions were made to withdraw from Uzir and preserve the island and to open the land route.

At night, we went to the Najaf camp to monitor the work and stayed awake until morning. In the wireless room, we controlled the news. Evacuation of Uzair was done well; successful escape The operation inside the island and Talaiyeh did not start because it was stuck behind the water channel. It was a difficult night. I slept after the morning prayer. They were calling from the President's office, Beit Imam and the Prime Minister. They were upset. We were hopeful until late at night, as it was getting late, we canceled the missions and went to sleep.