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On 22 September 1980, the Iraqi Air Force launched a surprise airstrike on Iran, marking the beginning of the Iran–Iraq War.[1]
| 22 September 1980 Iraqi airstrike on Iran | |
|---|---|
| Part of Iran–Iraq War | |
 Explosion in Mehrabad Air Base in Tehran after Iraqi forces attacked Tehran on September 22, 1980 starting the eight-year Iran-Iraq war. | |
| Type | Military strike |
| Location | |
| Planned by | Mohamed Jessam al-Jeboury |
| Target | Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force |
| Date | 22 September 1980 |
| Executed by |  Iraq |
| Outcome | Iraqi operational failure
|
Background edit
Impressed by the success of the Israeli Operation Focus during the Six-Day War, Iraqi President Saddam Hussein ordered his generals to prepare a pre-emptive strike on the Iranian Air Force, despite the shortcomings of the Iraqi Air Force.[2][3]
Operation edit
At noon, 192 Iraqi aircraft took off from various airbases across Iraq and headed east toward Iran. The first planes to reach their targets were Su-20s from Kirkuk Airbase. Bombing the Hamadan Airbase at 1:45 PM, these aircraft caused some damage to the runway and immediately turned back to avoid being shot down. Within the next few minutes, other Iraqi aircraft reached airbases in Tabriz, Dezful, Bushehr, Kermanshah, Ahwaz, and Sanandaj, but failed to cause significant damage.[4][5]
At 2:20 PM, five Iraqi Tu-22 heavy bombers flew over the Iranian capital, Tehran, at very low altitude. They bombed the Mehrabad International Airport and the air force command's barracks, although the latter missed its target. At 2:30 PM, four Tu-16 heavy bombers reached the Isfahan airbase, housing half of the Iranian Grumman F-14 Tomcat fleet. The aircraft released their bombs but failed to destroy the runway. At 2:40 PM, the last four Tu-22s reached the Shiraz Airbase, housing the other half of the Iranian F-14s. The bombers targeted the runway and a fuel depot but failed to destroy any aircraft.[4][5]
By the day's end, the results of 250 missions flown were slim, with only four enemy planes destroyed versus five planes lost. The Iranian Air Force emerged from this operation, designed to permanently ground it, unharmed. Most of the craters left by Iraqi bombs were filled during the night. By morning, the principal Iranian air bases were operational again.[4][5]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ MacManus, James (23 September 1980). "From the archive, 23 September 1980: Open war as Iraq bombs Iran". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ Razoux, Pierre (2015). The Iran-Iraq War. Harvard University Press, 2015. p. 21-22. ISBN 978-0674915718.
- ^ Cordesman, Anthony H.; Wagner, Abraham (1990). The Lessons of Modern War: Volume Two – The Iran-Iraq Conflict. Westview Press. p. 102. ISBN 978-0813309552.
- ^ a b c Razoux, p. 23-26.
- ^ a b c Cooper, Tom; Bishop, Farzad (2002). Iran-Iraq War in the Air, 1980-1988. Schiffer Military History, 2002. pp. 72–110. ISBN 0764316699.