Siege of Abadan

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Siege of Abadan
partof=Iran–Iraq War


caption=Exploded tank, remains in Abadan as symbol of Iran–Iraq War.
date=November 1980 - September 1981
place=Abadan, Khuzestan province, southwest Iran
territory=
result=Iranian victory, Iraqi siege of the city fails
combatant1=flagcountry|Iraq|1963
combatant2=flagcountry|Iran
combatant3=
commander1=flagicon|Iraq|1963 Saddam Hussein
commander2=flagicon|Iran Mostafa Chamran
commander3=
strength1=24,500 men
800 tanks
strength2=Unknown
strength3=
casualties1=Unknown
casualties2=Unknown
casualties3=
notes=

The Siege of Abadan was a major action during the early part of the Iran–Iraq War.

The plan

In September 1980 Iraqi President Saddam Hussein launched a surprise attack against Iran and invaded Iranian territory on a broad front. Iraq's initial plan to attack Abadan Island called for an armored division to cross the Shatt al-Arab near Kharkiya on the road heading from Baghdad to Basra and then head south to capture the cities of Khorramshahr and Abadan. This division included 500-600 tanks as well as some special forces units for a total troop strength of 20,000 men.

The battle

On November 3, Iraqi forces reached Abadan in Iran's Khuzestan province. Iranian resistance proved too strong, however, so Iraqi commanders called for reinforcements. A second, weakened armored division with a strength of approximately 4,500 men and 200 tanks was sent to cut off Abadan and surround the city from the northeast. These two Iraqi divisions faced an unknown number of Iranian troops. Most likely sources estimate that a single brigade defended Khorramshahr supported by two operational reserves located further north. [http://stinet.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA241169&Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf]

The siege

Although the Iraqis were repulsed by the Iranian Pasdaran unit, they managed to surround Abadan on three sides and occupy a portion of the city. However the Iraqis could not overcome the stiff resistance; sections of the city still under Iranian control were resupplied at night by boat. The Iraqis kept up a siege for several months, but never succeeded in capturing Abadan. Much of the city, including the oil refinery, was badly damaged or destroyed by the siege and by bombing. In what they considered a victory, the Iranians forced the Iraqis to end the siege in September 1981.

References