Iranian forces liberated the strategic southwestern port city of Khorramshahr in a landmark operation code-named Beit ol-Moqaddas 35 years ago.
On May 24, Iranians each year mark anniversary of the liberation of the strategic port city of Khorramshahr from the then Iraqi Saddam regime forces 35 years ago.
Iran launched the operation in April 1982 and liberated Khorramshahr on May 24 of the same year.
Some 6,000 Iraqi forces were also killed and thousands of others injured during the operation. The Iranians also captured some 19,000 troops from the Iraqi army.
During eight years of the war, Iraqi Ba’ath regime forces received economic, military and intelligence support from several countries led by the United States.
Saddam waged war against Iran with the support of major powers and their allies in the region. The imposed war began when former Iraqi dictator Saddam, invaded Iran on 22 September 1980 and lasted for eight years.
In a message on the occasion of liberation of Khorramshahr, Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic said that God the Almighty had extended assistance in liberating the Iranian border port city from the occupation of enemy’s forces.
All echelon of the Iranian society became united under leadership of Imam Khomeini to defend the Islamic-democratic system. Iranian nation also confront the global colonialist powers during the imposed war
The liberation of Khorramshahr also marks the defeat of Saddam and his backers.
The liberation of Khorramshahr also changed the balance of power in the imposed war in favor of the Iranian forces.
Iran accepted UN Security Council Resolution 598 which declared Saddam as the initiator of the war, drawing the conflict to a close in August 1988.