MILITARY ACTIVITY, SUSANGERD IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREA (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81T00618R000100130001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 15, 2009
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 29, 1981
• Content Type: REPORT

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SECRET
MILITARY ACTIVITY, SUSANGERD, IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD AREA,
conflict' and covers the period from
the Susangerd forward area (Figure 1).
This report discusses deployed ground forces in 25X1
2. (S/D) Military unit designators and subordination (where used) are derived from collateral sources.2
Acronyms and abbreviations are defined in a glossary at the end of the report. Additional reports will be issued
as the situation changes.
DISCUSSION
3. (S/D) Elements of two Iranian armor brigades attacked an Iraqi armor brigade deployed west
and northwest of Susangerd between (Figures 2 and 3). Elements of the Iranian armor 25X1
brigade north of the Karkheh River had advanced 3.5 nm northwest of its previous location, driving the
opposing Iraqi forces from their positions in the Allah Akbar Hills and destroying numerous Iraqi tanks
and APCs. Elements of a second Iranian armor brigade south of the Karkheh River also advanced 3 nm
west of Susangerd during the same time period, driving the Iraqi forces from their entrenched positions
opposite the city.
4. (S/D) Preparations for these advances were evident on (Figure 2). On that date, one mecha- 25X1
nized infantry platoon, two M-109A1 SPG battalions, elements o two Scorpion-equipped armored reconnais-
sance platoons, and a large infantry unit were in an area 4 nm east and south of Susangerd and south of the
Karkheh River. A large flooded area protected the southern flank of these forces. Since the Iranians 25X1
had deployed a second PMP bridge and a new footbridge (bringing the total to four footbridges) over the
Neysan River, which separated the Iraqi and Iranian forces. Iranian infantry was deployed in two locations on
the west bank of the Neysan River on In addition, a footbridge had been erected over the Karkheh 25X1
River 6 nm northwest of Susangerd by Two Iranian bulldozers were being used to improve a road 25X1
connecting the footbridge with Iranian forces immediately north of the Karkheh River at Susangerd.
5. (S/D) On an increased Iranian presence was observed north-northeast of Susangerd, 25X1
north of the Karkheh River. Iranian forces deployed in this area included one tank battalion, three lank
platoons, two mechanized infantry battalions, five mechanized infantry platoons, two M-107 SPG batter-
ies, and three M-109A1 SPG battalions. The two mechanized infantry battalions had arrived since 25X1
6. (S/D) Three Iraqi infantry units, possibly Special Forces, were observed in an area between I and 8 nm
northwest of Susangerd Elements of one previously observed Iraqi armor brigade 25X1
remained deployed in this area, on both banks of the Karkheh River, on the same date. The brigade consisted of
six tank companies, four tank platoons, four mechanized infantry platoons, and three FA batteries. A second
armor brigade also remained deployed between 6 and 9 nm southwest of Susangerd on Only minor 25X1
repositioning of Iraqi forces in the area had occurred since 25X1
7. S D Ira i bridge construction was identified on the Neysan River, 8.5 nm west of Susangerd, on
Another bridge, 4.5 nm farther to the west over the Karkhehku River, has become 25X1
impassable since because heavy currents have cut away one river bank and widened the channel. 25X1
A small infantry unit was observed on the perimeter of the town served by the bridge.
8. (S/D) by advancing Iranian forces north of the Karkheh River consisted of 25X1
one tank battalion, one tank company, two tank platoons, two mechanized infantry battalions, two
mechanized infantry platoons, two M-107 SPG batteries, three M-109A1 battalions, and one infantry unit
(Figure 3). Lead elements of these forces had advanced to a position 6 nm north of Susangerd. Numerous
destroyed Iraqi armored vehicles littered the area. In addition, an Iranian FA battery was newly deployed
15 nm north of Susangerd. A mechanized infantry platoon and an infantry unit previously identified in
this area were not discernible.
9. (S/D) Iranian forces south of the Karkheh River crossed the Neysan River between 25X1
=and advanced to positions between 3.5 nm northwest and 5 nm west-southwest of Susangerd. Iranian ZDA"I
forces west-southwest of Susangerd, on the west bank of the Neysan River, on included one tank 25X1
battalion, one mechanized infantry battalion, one mechanized infantry company, two Scorpion-equipped
armored reconnaissance platoons, and an infantry unit. Additionally, an Iranian infantry unit was de-
ployed on the south bank of the Karkheh River in the vicinity of a footbridge 6 nm northwest of
Susangerd. Iranian forces remaining southeast of Susangerd included two M-109A1 SPG battalions and an
AA gun battery.
10. (S/D) Elements of the Iraqi armor brigade and the three infantry units de to ed northwest of
Susangerd had relocated to an area between 5 and 10 nm northwest of the city by 25X1
Elements of the armor brigade (two Iraqi tank battalions north of the Karkheh River) were under fire
from Iranian units. One Iraqi tank was burning, and at least eight others appeared to be damaged or
destroyed on Evidence of Iraqi reinforcement was observed in the area between 1 -1 25X1
when an Iraqi armor battalion was identified 8 nm west of Susangerd, immediately north o the Neysan
River. A second Iraqi armor brigade was still deployed between 6 and 9 nm southwest of Susangerd on El 7FX1
25X1
WNINTEL
Z-20078/81
1. (S/D) This report is the most recent in a series of reports on the Iraq/Iran 25X1
SECRET IAR-0105/81
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MAPS OR CHARTS
DoD. Joint Operations Graphics, Various Sheets (UNCLASSIFIED, Distribution Restricted)
DOCUMENTS
1. NPIC. Z-20070/81, IAR-0069/81, Military Activity Summary, Iraq/Iran Forward Areas,
0(S), 13 May 81 (SECRET
2. DIA. DDB-1100-IZ-80, Ground Order of Battle: Iraq (U), Jan 80 (SECREI1
DIA. DDB-1100-IR-80, Ground Order of Battle: Iran (U), Sep 80 (SECRE
(S) Comments and queries regarding this report are welcome. They may be directed to South Asia/Arabia
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Z-20078/81 SECRET
IA R-0105/81
25X1
225X1
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TAB RI
CASPIAN SEA
SYRIA
TURKEY
AL KUT
? DEZFUL
ABA DAN
KHORRAMSHAHR
KHARK
p
ISLAND
SHIRAZ '
BU?H~HR3
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY
PRINCIPAL ROAD
+- + PRINCIPAL RAILROAD
* IRAQ/IRAN FORWARD
AREA
Z-10018/81
MOSUL
KIRKIJI(
KHANAGIN
BAGHDAD
PERSIAN GULF
FIGURE 1, IRAQI/IRANIAN MILITARY ACTIVITY
Re~erse side blank
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(0
STRAIT OF
HORMUZ
M
MASH H) D
ZAHEDAN
AFGHANISTAN
'CHAH
BAHAR
GULF OF OMAN
NPZC T-1580
IA R-0105/81
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Z-20078/81
Platoon
Company;
battery
Battalion
71
Fl~ Division
- x - Brigade
area
-xx- Division
area
Mechanized
infantry
? Infantry
Mechanized
EK mountain
infantry
? Mountain
infantry
Self-pro-
pelled gun
Artillery
? Anti-tank
z
Recon-
naissance
Engineering
Support/
transport
1+) equates to one additional maneuver
element
( )equates to one less maneuver
element
FIGURE 2. GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY, SUSANGERD, IRAN, ON
Reverse side blank
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FORWARD EDGE OF BATTLE AREA
E FLOODED AREA
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FORWARD EDGE OF BATTLE AREA
FORWARD EDGE OF BATTLE AREA AS OF
FLOODED AREA
0
Nautical Miles
Z-0078/81
FIGURE 3. GROUND FORCES ACTIVITY, SUSANGERD, ON
Reverse side blank
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Company/ Mechanized
battery mountain
infantry
Battalion ? Mountain
x infantry
Brigade Self-pro-
pelled gun
Division ElArtillery
-
DA
(+) equates to one additional maneuver
element
equates to one less maneuver
IA R-0105/8!
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GLOSSARY OF
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
AA Antiaircraft
AAA Antiaircraft artillery
AD Air defense
AOR Replenishment oiler
APB Barracks ship
APC Armored personnel carrier
AR Repair ship
ARD-D Floating drydock
ARD-T Auxiliary repair dock
AW Air warning
AWT Water carrier
AX Training ship
CP Command post
DD Destroyer
DDG Guided missile destroyer
DIW Dead in the water
ECM Electronics countermeasure
EW Early warning
FA Field artillery
FEBA Forward edge of battle area
FFG Guided missile frigate
GCI Ground controlled intercept
GSP Heavy amphibious ferry
LCM Medium landing craft
LCMA Medium landing craft (air cushion)
LCU Utility landing craft
LSM Medium amphibious assault landing ship
LST Amphibious vehicle landing ship
MRL Multiple rocket launcher
MSC Coastal minesweeper
MSF Fleet minesweeper
MSI Inshore minesweeper
NM Nautical mile(s)
PB Patrol boat
PBA Patrol boat (air cushion)
PBR River/roadstead patrol boat
PC Patrol craft
PCL Small submarine chaser
PCS Submarine chaser
PG Patrol escort
PGM Motor gunboat
PMP Heavy folding ponton bridge
POL Petroleum, oil, and lubricant
PRTB Missile assembly and checkout facility
PT Torpedo boat
PTG Missile attack boat
PTS Tracked amphibian
RTP Rail-to-road transfer point
RO/RO Roll-on/roll-off
SAM Surface-to-air missile
SP Self-propelled
SPAA Self-propelled antiaircraft
SPG Self-propelled gun
SSM Surface-to-surface missile
TEL Transporter-erector-launcher
TELR Transporter-erector-launcher radar
TMM Truck-mounted bridge
VLCC Very large crude carrier
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IAR-0105/81
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Secret
Secret
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