(UNTITLED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R001300900001-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: January 12, 2017
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 6, 1984
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
Central Intelligence Agency
IRAN-IRAQ MILITARY SITUATION REPORT #3
(As of 1200 EST, 6 March 1984)
Iraqi Counter-Attack Against Manjoon Islands
The Iraqi Defense Minister announced this morning that Iraqi forces had
launched a major offensive to recapture the two Manjoon Islands, in the
southern marsh areas, which the Iranians took last week. Iranian press
reports claim the attack by Iraqi infiltrators was repulsed and the enemy
suffered heavy losses.
The Iraqis probably hope to drive the enemy from the islands before the
Iranians have completed building their pontoon bridge. This bridge will link
the more northern of the two islands with Iranian forces on the eastern edge
of the marshes in Iran and provide them with a forward base to attack Iraqi
positions to the south or threaten the Baghdad to Al Basrah road to the
The Iraqis will find it difficult to drive the Iranians off the more
northern of the two islands. The Iranian infantry probably is well dug and
troops armed with RPG-7 antitank rockets and antitank mines are likely to take
a heavy toll on the advancing Iraqi tanks. An attack over the 3/4 mile long
by 25 foot wide causeway between the southern and northern islands could
easily become stalled after the lead elements are knocked out and block
following units from advancing. To reduce losses, the Iraqis will have to
concentrate preparatory air and artillery firepower on the Iranian positions
in the hope that this, along with chemical weapons, will weaken the Iranian
infantry. They also might try to use a heliborne commando force to sieze the
islands in a night attack. Iraqi commanders may be increasingly reluctant to
put any aircraft in the area, however, because the islands will be within
range of one of the new operational Iranian HAWK missile sites.
This report was prepared by the Office of Near Eastern and South Asian
Analysis of the Directorate of Intelligence. Questions may be directed to the
Chief, Iran-Iraq Branch, Persian Gulf Division
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
Meanwhile, the Iraqis are continuing to strengthen their defenses in the
south in anticipation of the major Iranian offensive against Al Basrah.
Casualties and Morale
the Iranians are
apparently deliberately shelling civilian areas of the city in retaliation for
Iraqi attacks on Iranian cities. Although civilian losses from shrapnel
wounds have been high and some food supplies are limited, civilain morale was
good and the people seemed genuinely happy with recent Iraqi military
successes.
Reports from the Interests Section in Baghdad indicate that Iraq is
intensifying its efforts to callup manpower into reserve units for duty in
rear areas and to free regular army troops for combat. The Iraqi activities
fall short of a full mobilization, but authorities king extra efforts to
locate draft dodgers and tighten draft exemptions.
Iraqi Reaction to US Condemnation of Chemical Warfare
Baghdad reacted strongly to US condemnation of Iraq's use of chemical
weapons against Iran. An Iraqi spokesman denounced the US statement as
fallacious and hypocritical. Although angered by Washington's criticism,
Baghdad almost certainly will continue to use chemical agents.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
Charter and Insurance Rates Increase in the Gulf
Iraq's announcement of attacks on tankers near Khark Island and a more
recent attack on merchant shipping near Bandar-e Khomeini have led to
increases in both charter rates for tankers loading in the Gulf and war risk
insurance premiums for oil tankers and cargoes coming out of Khark. The
effect of these increases on the price competitiveness of Gulf crudes and
export activity at Khark will be slight. They will add $.60 at most to the
delivery cost of a barrel of Iranian crude. F-7
Charter rates for shipments from Khark to Western Europe have risen since
29 February by 65 percent from a depressed $.66 per barrel to $1.09 per
barrel, according to the international shipping press. Rates out of Arab
ports on the Gulf also have risen, but only by 32 percent.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287RO01300900001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287R001300900001-0
Distribution:
1 - Geoffrey Kemp, NSC, Room 351, EOB
1 - Martin, NSC, Room 365, EOB
1 - Robinson, NSC, Room 373, EOB
1 - Beal, NSC, Room 303 EOB
1 - Fortier, NSC, Room 392 EOB
1 - Hugh Montgomery, INR/State, Room 6531
1 - George S. Harris, INR/State, Room 4524A
1 - Eagleburger, State, Room 7240
1 - Murphy, NESA State, Room 6242
1 - Fairbanks, State, Room 7511
1 - Wallis, Econ Affairs, State, Room 7256
1 - Placke, State, Room 6242
1 - Stempel, ISA/DOD, Room 4D765 PNT
1 - Admiral Moreau, JCS, Room 2E782 PNT
1 - Koch, ISA/DOD, Room 4E813 PNT
1 - Vessey, JCS, Room 2E873 PNT
1 - Prillaman, JCS, Room 2D874 PNT
1 - Gast, DSAA/DOD, Room 4E841 PNT
1 - Tixier, DOD, Room 4D765 PNT
1 - Whitt, DOD, Room 4D840 PNT
1 - Mahaffey, DOD, Room 3E634 PNT
1 - Tarbell, DOD, Room 4B938 PNT
1 - Pakaj, Treasury, Room 4324 MT
1 - Wynne James, Energy, Room GA257
1 - Boykin, Energy, Room GA257
1 - Ron Smith, Energy, Room GA257
1 - DCI
1 - DDCI
1 - EXDIR
1 - EXSec
1 - DCI/SA/IA
1 - EXEC REG
1 - DDI
1 - ADDI
1 - VC/NIC
1 - NIO/W
1 - NIO/GPF
1 - NIO/NESA
1 - DDO/NE
1 - DDO/NE
1 - DDO/NE
1 - SDO (2)
1 - DDS&T/DO (2)
1 - SCIO
1 - C/CSG
1 - C/ILS
1 - C/ISS
1 - C/PDB
1 - C/NID
1 - CRES
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287R001300900001-0
 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287R001300900001-0
1 - C/OPSCTR
1 - DC/OPSCTR
1 - D/CPAS
1 - DD/CPAS
4 - CPAS/CMD/CB
1 - OGI/IIC/TAB
1 - C/PES
1 - D/NESA
1 - NESA/PPS - 6G02 Hqs
4 - DDI/NESA/PG
ORIG:C/NESA/PG/I:
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/04/04: CIA-RDP85T00287R001300900001-0