A Bibliography of MersÄd Operation Memoirs
The 26th of July is the anniversary of the day Operation MersÄd was first launched in 1988. In this operation, under the command of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution and backed by Iranian airborne forces, Iranian combatants pushed back counter-revolutionary MonÄfeqin (Organization of the People's Mujahedin of Iran) from within the Iranian borders.
Once United Nations Security Council Resolution 598 was accepted by the Islamic Republic of Iran, marshalling all other counter-revolutionaries from all over Europe, the fugitive members of the organization of the People's Mujahedin of Iran (the MonÄfeqin) joined forces with the aggressive army of SaddÄm and attacked western Iran from the Defile of PÄtÄq while they were armed to teeth with SaddÄm`s arms gifts.
Initially supporting them, SaddÄm`s Air Force encouraged MonÄfeqin to make a foray into Iran. However, Operation MersÄd was launched on the 26th of July, 1988 to fight MonÄfeqin in EslÄm-Ä€bÄd and Kerend-e Gharb. In this operation, commanded by the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic (IRG) (1) Revolution and backed by Iranian airborne forces, Iranian combatants began to fight on three battlefields: ChÄhÄr-Zebar, QalÄjeh Route, and the route connecting EslÄm-Ä€bÄd and Pol-e Dokhtar and in two stages, expelled the counter-revolutionary forces. Many pages in the memoirs of combatants have been dedicated to this operation, and several books have been based upon this operation. In the field of memoirs/oral memoirs and oral history, the notable books published on Operation MersÄd are as follows:
Zabih in Love with God: In Memory of Martyr HÄjj Sheikh Zabihollah Karami/ by: N. ShahrÄm-Mehr/ Published by the Organization for Islamic Propagation, Cultural Affairs Division/1990
The book Zabih in Love with God: In Memory of Martyr HÄjj Sheikh Zabihollah Karami begins with a quotation by Hazrat EmÄm Khomeini, who addresses the clergy regarding their obligations, fulfilling one`s duties, the blessings of war, and clerical martyrs. The book retells the life-story of Martyr Zabihollah Karami, his activities before the Revolution, the tortures he underwent in the prisons of the deposed ShÄh, and afterwards the activities of the martyr after the Revolution and the positions he held. He was martyred in Operation MersÄd in the region of Sar-e Pol-e ZahÄb after Resolution 598 was accepted by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The third chapter of this book is a selection of the writings, notes, and poems of the martyr, selected from his journal. The fourth chapter retells different accounts of his friends, comrades, and family regarding his personality and activities. The fifth chapter presents SÄvÄk`s correspondence, and the sixth chapter pictures of the martyr.
The Last Report/ by: Seyyed YÄser HashtrÅ«di/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 1992
This book consists of four report-like memoirs reminiscing the years 1987 to 1989, containing memories of the interviewed residents of war-torn towns such as Qasr-e Shirin,Sar-e Pol-e ZahÄb, and EslÄm-Ä€bÄd, and especially the survivors of Operation MersÄd. In The Last Report, the local residents of the operation zone speak of a hut where several MonÄfeqs committed suicide by taking cyanide. They furthermore describe how a female MonÄfeq was murdered by her own comrades, and how the local hospital was set on fire by the MonÄfeqin, and other similar atrocious crimes committed by Monafeqin. Doves in the Attic and The Grey City records post-war visits to the cities of AhvÄz, Khorramshahr, and Ä€bÄdÄn and the tales of those who have returned to their cities to renovate their home cities. There Life is Like the Ligheh(2) of an Inkwell recounts the reports of 14 reporters who visit Halabja and Iraqi Kurdistan and speak with their residents and others who have been banished from other Iraqi cities and who hope to see their birthplaces freed by Iranian combatants. This region is then bombarded by chemical bombs, and the reporters are taken to a hospital.
Until Captivity/ by: Hamid HakimkhÄh (EivaziyÄn)/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 1993
This book retells the memoirs of Hamid HakimkhÄh. The first chapter recounts how he was in 1982 dispatched to the battlefields of right against wrong and to the region of ChazÄbeh. The second chapter portrays TehrÄn`s railroad station on the days when the forces were being dispatched; it depicts the faces of parents who unburdened themselves to their children. The third chapter retells his accounts of his presence at Do-KÅ«heh Garrison and his return to TehrÄn to train the forces of the 10th Seyyed ol-ShohadÄ Brigade. The fourth chapter then chronicles the operations launched by Zahir Battalion during which Hamid HakimkhÄh was captured by Ba`thi forces. In the final chapter, in a memory called “The Defile of ChÄhÄr-Zebarâ€, Majid Piri then describes MersÄd Operation.
By the Fire/ by: MahnÄz ShÄyestefar/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 1994
This book is dedicated to a discussion of KermÄnshÄh during the War. The account of war events begins with the life-story of a KermÄnshÄhi family. The outbreak of war, the breaking of the sound barrier, continued bombings, the lessons of martyrdom and resistance that the family learned, the martyrdom of residents, destruction of public places and schools, bombardments, emigration of residents to rural and suburban areas, and the way life still went on in spite of all these events (such as ceremonies commemorating the AhyÄ Nights in the holy month of RamazÄn, etc.) are all described in this book. The final pages are dedicated to an account of Operation MersÄd by a witness after Resolution 598 was accepted by Iran and there was a ceasefire.
The Oak: Memoirs of an Airborne Pilot/ Hojjat ShÄhmohammadi/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 1995
Retelling the memoirs of Hojjat ShÄhmohammadi, an airborne pilot, this book recounts how Iraqi Ba`thi forces alongside the forces of the so-called People's Mujahedin of Iran made an unchivalrous foray into Iran once United Nations Security Council Resolution 598 was accepted by Iran. This attack was launched in different regions in KordestÄn and the cities of IlÄm, Hassan-Ä€bÄd, Saleh-Ä€bÄd, Kerend, etc. The defense launched by Iranian combatants, especially airborne forces, SepÄh, and civilian forces under the command of Ali SayyÄd-ShirÄzi resulted in Operation MersÄd in this region. The operation resulted in a victory for Iranian Muslim combatants.
A Tale of Rainy Years/ by: Mehdi Marandi, Rewritten by: Mohammad KhosravirÄd/ Published by the Foundation for Preservation of Monuments and Dissemination of Values of the Sacred Defence/1997
This work contains accounts of Mehdi Marandi`s life and his presence on battlefields during the Sacred Defence. In his memoirs, he has briefly recorded his activities. He recounts how he joined the IRG, was dispatched to western battlefields and Sar-e Pol-e ZahÄb, took part in SepÄh`s first operation called Operation QÄsem-ebn-e Hassan, took part in Operation Matla` al-Fajr and Operation Fath-6, was appointed to command operations of the 7th region of Najaf Base, and lastly took part in Operation MersÄd and its end which marked a new beginning for the narrator to begin to research irregular warfare.
The Occulted of the Narrative of Victory/ by: TÄhereh QÄsemi-Amin/ Published by the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic (IRG) and the Basij/ 1997
This work retells the memoirs of 13 brave, self-sacrificing women who feared not the weapons of the wicked KÅ«mala and Democrats, and helping the Muslim combatants of Iran, resisted against the followers of SaddÄm. This book is like a timeline from the beginning of events in KordestÄn to Operation MersÄd at the end of the War and the invasion launched by the MonÄfeqin after the resolution was accepted. This book contains tales of bravery and self-sacrifice of women in helping combatants. The memoirs of this book are retold from the perspective of the following people: Maryam KÄtebi (aider), RÄziyeh KhaliliyÄn (aider), Sharifeh Ä€l-e NÄser (Basiji), A`zam NÄmdÄrpÅ«r (aider), Parvin Shari`ati (Basiji), SoghrÄ QondÄq-SÄz (aider), ZahrÄ Seifi-Ä€zar (aider), MahnÄz JazÄyeri (anesthesia technician), HomeirÄ KhÄn-Beigi (aider), Roqayeh ShokÅ«yi (aider), ZahrÄ MahmÅ«di, BatÅ«l BayÄti, and Hamideh MorÄdiyÄn.
From Storm to Breeze/ by: Mohammad-Ali Movazzaf-Rostami/ Published by GÅ«yeh/ 2001
This book retells the memoirs of the author which he has dedicated to his mother. The memories are entitled as “The Last Journey: At the End of the Marsh†“There, in the Middle of the Palm Groveâ€, and “From Storm to Breezeâ€. The author recounts the conflicts in Operation MersÄd in EslÄm-Ä€bÄd, IlÄm, and Sar-e Pol-e ZahÄb.
In Memory of Rainy Days/ by: Mohammad-Ali Movazzaf-Rostami/ Published by GÅ«yeh/ 2002
This book contains nine memoirs of commanders of different ranks of the 25th KarbalÄ Division and two ghazals(3) entitled “A Whole Picture of Love†and “In Memory of Rainy Daysâ€. The subject of these two poems is martyrdom and the Sacred Defence. The characters described in the memoirs are Asghari from Shahid Mohammad Montazeri Company in MÅ«liyÄn; Aqrabi, a company commander of Hamzeh Seyyed ol-ShohadÄ Battalion in Shahid BeiglÅ« Base of southern regions; and Martyr PÅ«r-BÄqeri from Shahid KhonakdÄr Company of EmÄm Mohammad-BÄqer Battalion (he was martyred in Operation KarbalÄ-5). The memoirs also retell a meeting at an ambush in Faw in 1986 between the commander and the deputy of the second battle zone; the deputy commander (4) of Shahid KhonakdÄr Company, Martyr Asghar KhÄleqi; the deputy commander of EmÄm Mohammad-BÄqer Battalion, Mehdi BÄghbÄni; and Mohammad-BÄqer Zolqadr, the commander of RamazÄn Base of the operation zone of MersÄd in EslÄm-Ä€bÄd-e Gharb.
Fighting alongside the Fire/ by: Hamid QobÄdi/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 2005
This book contains the author`s memoirs of the Sacred Defence. Originally from KÅ«h-Dasht in LorestÄn, he held different positions during the War such as the deputy of intelligence of the 57th Abolfazl Division. The work is composed of 7 chapters which retell a brief biography (from his birth until before and after the Revolution) and accounts of his undergoing military training in the Basij; the outbreak of war and his being dispatched to western battlefields; Operations Beit ol-Moqaddas, KarbalÄ-1, KarbalÄ-4, KarbalÄ-5, Fath ol-Mobin, Valfajr-9, and Valfajr-10; his getting wounded in Khorramshahr and EslÄm-Ä€bÄd-e Gharb; identifying the minefields and fighting and escaping the enemy in MÅ«siyÄn, ZobeidÄt, the Heights of ShÄkh-e ShemirÄn in Halabcheh, MarivÄn, Sulaymaniyah Province, and Tapeh-Sabz; his battles with the MonÄfeqin in EslÄm-Ä€bÄd-e Gharb and Operation MersÄd; the fall of Sar-e Pol-e ZahÄb; the liberation of Halabcheh and KhormÄl; and tales of bravery and self-sacrifice of his comrades and martyrs who fought alongside him: Ali-MardÄn Ä€zÄd Bakht, MahmÅ«d RezÄyi, Mohammad-Ali GÅ«darzi, DÄryÅ«sh MorÄdi, Heshmatollah Qoli, QÄsem Madhani, Bahman MirzÄyi, etc. The final pages entail pictures and footnotes from the author`s presence on battlefields, his injuries, and his presence among combatants and commanders.
A Night of Memoirs: A Collection of Memoirs of Memory Nights/ by: MojtabÄ Ä€bedini/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 2007
A Night of Memoirs contains a selection of memoirs which have been retold at memory nights. In a memory entitled “A Friend`s Voiceâ€, Seyyed Ali-Akbar AbÅ«torÄbi describes the tortures of the prisons of BaghdÄd. In another memory entitled “Hands Up, SÄlÄr!â€,(5) Ahmad Ahmad (former prisoner of the ShÄh`s regime) retells his memories of the Revolution and SÄvÄki agents. In another chapter entitled “The Fifteenth Dayâ€, RezÄ IrÄnmanesh (actor) reminisces about his best friend and comrade, Parviz. In the memory “What Did We Ask for; What Did We Get!†Mohammad-RezÄ TorÄbizÄdeh (former prisoner of war) speaks about the night of the operation during which he was captured. Finally, in “The Polluted Cityâ€, EbrÄhim HÄtamikiyÄ (director) has recorded his observations of Operation MersÄd, to which he had been dispatched to film the operation.
The next memories are narrated by Seyyedeh ZahrÄ Hosseini (Khorramshahri female combatant); AlirezÄ Rahimi (former prisoner of war); the commanding officers Rahim Safavi and Lieutenant General Ali SayyÄd ShirÄzi; Mohammad-RezÄ TÄleqÄni, a prominent sports figure (wrestling); Hossein Mozzafar (former Minister of Education); RasÅ«l MollÄ-QolipÅ«r (director); Ali MilÄni (airborne pilot); FÄtemeh NÄhidi (former prisoner of war); Mohammad-NezÄm EslÄmi (TV and radio reporter); and Bijan NobÄveh (TV and radio reporter).
The Occupation and the Badge/ by: SabbÄr al-LÄmi and SattÄr Sa`d, translated by Mohammad Nabi-EbrÄhimi/ Published by the Resistance Literature and Art Bureau/ 2008
The Occupation and the Badge is composed of two chapters and six sections. Focusing on Operation MersÄd, the first chapter is written by Captain SattÄr al-Sa`d, an Iraqi officer who has with his own eyes witnessed the crimes of the MonÄfeqin against the Muslim residents of GilÄn-e Gharb and EslÄm-Ä€bÄd as well as the all-out resistance the residents of the towns and villages of EslÄm-Ä€bÄd and other cities and villages of Islamic Iran showed. What stands out as full of grandeur for us and full of instructive lessons for the enemy is the resistance people put up against the criminal MonÄfeqin and the Iraqi Ba`thi Army. The second chapter of the book– which composes most of it – explores the events which occurred during the occupation of Kuwait and its background which are all narrated by Staff Colonel SabbÄr al-LÄmi. This Iraqi colonel was in Kuwait from the first operation and the occupation of Kuwait by Iraqi forces until its liberation by the allied forces.
Ten Meters from the Ambushing Eyes: A Narrative of Eight Years by SardÄr (6) Ja`far MazÄheri/ by Mohsen SeifikÄr/ Published the Foundation for Preservation of Monuments and Dissemination of Values of the Sacred Defence/ 2010
Ten Meters from the Ambushing Eyes retells the memoirs of Ja`far MazÄheri, a commanding officer during the Sacred Defence. This book recounts his memoirs of his childhood; the Islamic Revolution; the events in KordestÄn; the outbreak of the Imposed War; Sar-e Pol-e ZahÄb and other war zones; Operations RamezÄn, Valfajr-2, Valfajr-5, KarbalÄ-4, KarbalÄ-5, Beit ol-Moqaddas-2, and MersÄd; etc. The memoirs also describe his efforts as the deputy commander of the 16th Qods Division of GilÄn, the deputy commander of the 3rd Qods Corps, and a deputy and commander of some other military units.
This book presents 117 pictures in relation to the topics, maps of operations documents, historical and military analyses of operations, and major events of the Revolution and the Sacred Defence.
During the Sacred Defence, SardÄr MazÄheri commanded many of the operations launched by the 32nd AnsÄr al-Hossein Brigade and Khandaq Battalion of SÄrallah Divison and was the deputy commander of the 105th Qods Division of GilÄn. He retired in 2001 dues to the wounds he suffered in the War.
A Drop of Sea Water/ By: Ali-Mohammad Zand/ Published by Sarir Publications/ 2011
This book is narrated and penned by Ali-MohammadZand, a combatant during the Scared Defence. The author, who himself took part in Operation MersÄd, tries to recount all the details of this operation from the beginning to the end.
My Share of those Beautiful Eyes: Memoirs of Hamid HesÄm/ by: MostafÄ Rahimi/ Published by SÅ«reh-ye Mehr Publications/ 2012
Its interviews collected by the author MostafÄ Rahimi, My Share of those Beautiful Eyes is written in 11 chapters: “In Front of SaqqÄkhaneh(7)-ye Hazrat Abolfazlâ€, “The Nights of QarÄvizâ€, “A Commander Like Himâ€, Mammad and His Knotsâ€, “A Journey from Bardzardâ€, “Watch-keeping on Arvand Coastâ€, “A Conflict On the Southern Islandâ€, “A Mast in Waterâ€, “The Short Life of the Mastâ€, “Watch-keeping in Infiltration Tacticsâ€, and “Farewell in ChÄhÄr-Zebarâ€.
Written in a plain language, the book chronologically recounts his life until the 22nd of September, 1980, and then retells in detail the events of the Sacred Defence he witnessed from the beginning of the Imposed War. At the end of each chapter, it presents pictures relative to the events described.
This book recounts Hamid HesÄm`s memoirs from his first presence in the war zone as a look-out in the 32nd AnsÄr al-Hossein Division of HamedÄn to his last duties in the Sacred Defence.
1. SepÄh-e PÄsdÄrÄn-e EnqelÄb-e EslÄmi, or SepÄh for short
2. In Islamic calligraphy, ligheh is a wad of raw silk fibers usually put in an inkwell.
3. The ghazal is a poetic form similar in stringency to those of the Petrarchan sonnet (www.wikipedia.org).
4. The commanding officer is often assisted by a deputy commander otherwise referred to as executive officer(XO) orsecond-in-command(2i/c).
5. Hands Up, Chief!
6. A term used while addressing generals.
7. A Saqqakhaneh is a ceremonial public structure holding water for thirsty passers-by.
Asgar AbbÄsnejad
Translated by: Katayoun Davallou
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