Siege of Abadan

Siege of Abadan
Part of Iran–Iraq War
Exploded tank, remains in Abadan as symbol of Iran–Iraq War.
Date 6 November 1980 - 27 September 1981 (10 months and 3 weeks) Location Abadan, Khuzestan province, southwest Iran Result Iranian victory Iraqi siege of the city fails
Belligerents
Iraq	Iran
Commanders and leaders
Saddam Hussein	A. Banisadr Mostafa Chamran
Strength
24,500 men initially, 60,000 men at peak 360-800 tanks	15,000 men 92nd Armored Division 50-60 tanks initially
Casualties and losses
3,500-4,000 Hundreds of armored vehicles	Heavy 170+ tanks

Iranian victory

3,500-4,000

Heavy

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

Abadan island was the site of the Abadan Refinery, one of the world's largest oil refineries.

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 a reinforced 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, and subsequently engage any remaining local Iranian units. This reinforced division to be used included 500-600 tanks, as well as some special forces units, for a total troop strength of 20,000 men.

Iraqi commandos, driven by initial success in the attack on Khorramshahr, had crossed the Karun River and reached the Abadan city limits on 22 September, but had been forced back by stiff resistance from Iranian paramilitary units, causing the Iraqis to withdraw to the western side of the Karun River, at the cost of several tanks and APCs. By 4 October Iraqi commanders reported that they had secured the main road from Abadan to Ahwaz, however it was not until late November that Iraq fully controlled the bridge to Abadan.

As the Iraqi army became preoccupied with the ongoing Battle of Khorramshahr, the original plan was heavily modified, with instead of calling for a quick engagement and occupation of Abadan, the plan now was to isolate local Iranian units within Abadan, and then lay siege to the island.

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, bypassing Khorramshahr, which was still under siege, by crossing the Karun River to the north of the city. 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.

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Wikipedia