Diversionary Attack
On September 22, 1981, Iran began their first successful offensive against Iraq, in order to break the Siege of Abadan. The attack began with a diversionary operation. A combined arms force of 30-40,000 troops attacked the Iraqi forces in a wide front around the Kharkeh River in Khuzestan province, Iran, aiming for the road towards Basra, Iraq. The Iranians used their regular army supported by Revolutionary Guard infantry, the former using small groups of armored vehicles with full artillery and air support (the Iranians had air superiority, but limited aircraft due to lack of spare parts). The operation convinced Iraq that Basra was under attack, consquently they did not reinforce their troops surrounding Abadan.
Read more about this topic: Operation Samen-ol-A'emeh
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