The 366th Night of Reminiscence – Part 1

Compiled by: Leila Rostami
Translated by Kianoush Borzouei

2025-3-18

The 366th Night of Reminiscence, featuring a narrative from the Hazrat Mahdi Battalion of the 10th Seyyed al-Shohada Division, was held on February 20, 2025, at the Sura Hall of the Islamic Revolution Art Center. The event hosted accounts from Alireza Moradkhani, Nabiollah Ahmadlou, Jalal Fakhra, and General Mohammad Hadi, with Javad Aini serving as the session’s moderator.

Alireza Moradkhani, the first narrator, began his address by recounting the operational history of the Hazrat Mahdi Battalion, stating:

“The Hazrat Mahdi Battalion was established on August 1, 1985, under the command of General Ali Fazli and through the efforts of Martyr Mohammad Hossein Hassaniyan. A year later, the Seyyed al-Shohada Brigade was elevated to a full-fledged division. Martyr Hassaniyan was the battalion’s first commander, and I present to you some of his correspondences as historical documents.”

Throughout the final years of the Iran-Iraq War, the Hazrat Mahdi Battalion undertook 16 missions, divided equally between 8 offensive and 8 defensive operations. Shortly after its establishment, Martyr Hassaniyan, leveraging his capabilities and extensive network, actively recruited both regular personnel and Basij volunteers. The battalion underwent structural reinforcement, armament, and rigorous training, preparing for its first offensive engagement in Operation Valfajr 8.

Operation Valfajr 8 was a highly strategic amphibious operation conducted at the Faw Peninsula. The 21st Imam Reza Brigade and the Al-Ghadir Brigade of Yazd, through a diversionary maneuver in Um-ar-Rasas, effectively deceived the enemy, prompting Iraqi forces—known for their high mobility—to redeploy from Faw to Um-ar-Rasas. This tactical deception allowed the main Iranian forces, stationed in Arvandkenar, to break through the enemy’s defenses in Faw. Following the successful completion of Operation Valfajr 8, the Hazrat Mahdi Battalion rejoined the Seyyed al-Shohada Division in Faw, assuming defensive positions until April 1986.

“Hassaniyan and Eskanderlou attained martyrdom in Operation Seyyed al-Shohada in Fakkeh, alongside many of their comrades. The phrase ‘a battalion departs, a platoon returns’ finds its most touching embodiment here.”

Following the martyrdom of Hassaniyan, the banner of command was entrusted to Amir Masoud Sadeqi Yekta, known as Martyr Samad, a special operations intelligence officer and a comrade of Martyr Hemmat. Under his leadership, the battalion participated in Operation Karbala-1, a decisive campaign that liberated the city of Mehran. On June 30, 1986, the battalion launched an assault on Iraqi lines in Mehran, executing a heroic maneuver that culminated in the city’s liberation—an outcome explicitly emphasized and commended by Imam Khomeini.

The ‘barbed-wire sacrifice’, a moment often recounted, occurred in this very battle. The second-in-command of the Hazrat Mahdi Battalion, Hassan Khakbaz, a native of Yaftabad, was among those martyred in Mehran’s liberation, leaving behind a legacy of courage and selflessness.

Following Operation Karbala-1 and the martyrdom of Martyr Samad, the battalion’s leadership was transferred to Martyr Mohammad Kashiha, who, like his predecessors, dedicated immense efforts to training, organizing, and enhancing the operational readiness of his forces. Kashiha led the battalion through a critical defensive operation, where Nabiollah Ahmadlou—at the time, serving as a judicial police officer—was appointed battalion commander, with Kashiha remaining as his deputy. Ahmadlou, leveraging his position, integrated a large contingent of judicial police officers into the battalion, fostering a highly organized and disciplined unit in preparation for Operation Karbala-4.

During Operation Karbala-5, the battalion spearheaded the assault, earning the designation of a “breakthrough force.” Martyr Kashiha was killed in action, while Commander Ahmadlou sustained critical injuries, to the extent that his name was initially listed among the martyrs at the division’s Hussainiya. However, he was evacuated from the battlefield, leading to General Mohammad Hadi assuming command.

The Hazrat Mahdi Battalion remains active to this day, now operating as the Special Forces Battalion of the Hazrat Zahra Brigade within the IRGC Tehran Corps.“We hope that, true to its sacred namesake, this battalion will one day be linked to the reappearance of Imam Mahdi, and we shall be honored to serve under his divine command.”