Iran's first successful territorial recapture of the Iran–Iraq War, liberating Bostan and 70 villages and boosting Iranian morale.
Key Facts
- Operation codename
- Tariq al-Quds (Path to Jerusalem)
- Duration
- 29 November – 7 December 1981
- Territory liberated
- Bostan and 70 villages
- Forces involved
- Iranian Army and IRGC (joint operation)
- Khomeini's description
- "Victory of victories"
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Iran–Iraq War, Iraqi forces had occupied Bostan in the Khuzestan province. Iran sought to reclaim lost territory and demonstrate military capability after a series of setbacks, motivating a coordinated offensive to retake the strategically and symbolically important town.
From 29 November to 7 December 1981, Iranian Army and IRGC forces jointly executed Operation Tariq al-Quds, a military offensive targeting Iraqi-held Bostan in Khuzestan province. The operation was the first major Iranian effort to recapture occupied territory during the war.
The operation successfully liberated Bostan and 70 surrounding villages, marking Iran's first publicly announced territorial recapture of the war. Ayatollah Khomeini hailed it as the 'victory of victories,' significantly elevating Iranian morale and signaling that Iranian forces could reclaim occupied land.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent