Iran-Iraq: Situation Report Number 27

Iran-Iraq: Situation Report Number 27
(As of 0830 EDT 29 July 1982)

Military Situation
Iran last night launched the third phase of its invasion of Iraq by attacking Iraqi forces along the central portion of the Basrah front.

- The attack, which began at dusk last night (local time), centered around and just north of the Iranian salient. Fighting continued all night and into this morning [redacted]

- Iran claims its forces overran the first line of Iraqi defenses and crossed a wide minefield. [redacted]. [redacted] the initial objective of the attack was to seize triangular strongpoints that anchor Iraq's second line of defense.

- [redacted] the Iranian attack by this morning had been contained after a penetration of up to 5 kilometers. An Iraqi pincer counterattack by two was proceeding well and the Iraqis expected that the Iranians would be pushed back to their starting point by this afternoon (local time).

- Preliminary analysis [redacted] indicates that the primary battle area is obscured by dust, and the battle line cannot be determined. Elsewhere along the Basrah front there is no . change in the front lines. [redacted]

- Comment: Iran‘s chances of success in this phase of their invasion are slim as long as they insist on using unimaginative heavy infantry assaults head-on against heavily fortified Iraqi defenses backed by armored reserves. Iran has again chosen to attack along the central portion of the Basrah front where Iraqi physical defenses are strongest. Plans for the second—prong of the attack along the Shatt probably will not be executed unless forces involved in last night's breakthrough are able to withstand the strong Iraqi counterattack. Iraqi intelligence had warned Iraqi forces of the day, the place and probably the hour of the Iranian assault, allowing time to plan the counterattack.

- [redacted] both sides continue to prepare for chemical warfare. [redacted]

- Iraqi irregulars were recently issued protective masks and Iraqi artillery units were ordered to submit requirements for resupply of chemical equipment.

- Iranian units continued to request additional protective masks because of anticipated Iraqi use of chemical weapons. [redacted]

- Comment: The Iraqis used tear gas effectively two weeks ago to break up Iranian infantry assaults. Iraqi artillery units probably were resupplied with tear gas for possible use against Iran's current infantry-led attack.