Abdanan
Abdanan is a city in Ilam Province in western Iran, south of the provincial capital. During the Iran– Iraq War, Abdanan served as a key support center among the cities of Ilam.
Abdanan lies in the mountainous region of Ilam. It is bordered by Darreh‑Shahr to the north, Moosian to the south, and Dehloran to the west. The city sits on the slopes of Kabir Kuh and beside the Abdanan River. Remains of a large ancient fortress can still be seen in the area, with standing walls and a wide passage inside that once led to the river, allowing defenders to access water during sieges or attacks. In the past, due to its abundant water and the river’ s source, the city was known as “ Sareh”. After the 1934 settlement law for nomadic tribes, several clans from the region made Abdanan their permanent home. It became a town in 1964 and was designated as a district center in 1971. The economy of Abdanan is based on livestock, agriculture, and handicrafts. Most residents are Kurds, and the dominant local dialect is Southern Poshtkuhi.[1]
The city lies on the main route connecting Darreh‑Shahr, Dehloran, Moormoori, and Moosian.[2]
In 1976, Abdanan was part of Dehloran County, which was separated in 1980 and attached to Darreh‑Shahr County.[3]
When Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, Abdanan— because of its distance from the border— did not face a ground assault, though Iraqi forces positioned themselves 65 kilometers away. As a relatively safe area, Abdanan quickly became an important support center for war‑affected regions and a refuge for Iranian combat units. The strong support and hospitality of the people of Abdanan boosted the morale of Iranian forces, prompting Iraq to bomb the city on October 13, 1980. Because it was safer than other parts of Ilam, Abdanan hosted displaced families from Dehloran and nomadic tribes from border areas.[4]
The people of Abdanan played a major role in sending volunteers to the frontlines in Moosian and Dehloran and actively supported these groups.[5] This effort led to the formation of the first territorial military unit in Ilam Province. The unit— composed of forces from Dehloran, Darreh‑Shahr, and Abdanan— later participated in Operation Muharram and became known as the Muharram Battalion, eventually renamed the 505th Muharram Battalion.[6] In 1986, Abdanan had a population of 21,879.[7]
During the eight‑year Iran-Iraq War, Iraqi aircraft bombed Abdanan eight times, resulting in 55 martyrs and 176 wounded. In total, 203 people of Abdanan were martyred, 672 were disabled (became veterans with disabilities), and 33 were taken prisoners of war.[8] The war destroyed much of the city’ s public and welfare infrastructure.[9] From 1988 to 1996, the national Reconstruction Headquarters carried out rebuilding projects in Abdanan.[10]
In 1995, Abdanan— previously part of Darreh‑Shahr County— was officially separated and became Abdanan County.[11] According to the 2016 census, the population of Abdanan County is 47,851.[12]
References
- [1]. Pazhoohesh-e Goroohi-ye Bonyad-e Iran-Shenasi, Shahrha-ye Iran-Shahr (Cities of Iran-Shahr), Tehran: Bonyad-e Iran-Shenasi, 1389, Pp. 49-53; Sahraei, Muhammad, Tarikh-e Defa Muqaddas dar Ilam (History of the Sacred Defense in Ilam), Tehran: Fatehan, 1389, Pp. 248-249.
- [2]. Zendedel, Hassan, Rahnama-ye Irangardi-ye Ostanha va Shahrha (Guide to Tourism in Iran’ s Provinces and Cities), Tehran: Irangardan, 1384, p. 51.
- [3]. Faridi Majid, Fatemeh, Sargozasht-e Taqsimat-e Keshvari-ye Iran (History of Iran’ s Administrative Divisions), Tehran: Bonyad-e Iran-Shenasi, 1388, Pp. 59, 61.
- [4]. Daerat al-Maaref-e Defa Muqaddas (Encyclopedia of the Sacred Defense), Tehran: Bonyad-e Hefz-e Aasar va Nashr-e Arzeshha-ye Defa Muqaddas, 1389, p. 62; Roozshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Araq, Ketab-e Chaharom: Hojoom-e Sarasari (Chronology of the Iran-Iraq War, Book Four: Full-Scale Invasion), Tehran: Markaz-e Motaleaat va Tahqiqat-e Jang-e Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, 1375, p. 403.
- [5]. Fouzi, Yahya, Lotfollahzadegan, Ali-Reza, Roozshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Araq, Ketab-e Chehel-o-Chaharom: Majaraye McFarlane (Chronology of the Iran-Iraq War, Book Forty-Four: The McFarlane Affair), Tehran: Markaz-e Motaleaat va Tahqiqat-e Jang-e Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, 1380, p. 204; Fouzi, Yahya, Lotfollahzadegan, Ali-Reza, Roozshomar-e Jang-e Iran va Araq, Ketab-e Chehel-o-Sevom: dar Tadarok-e Amaliyat-e Sarneveshtsaz (Chronology of the Iran-Iraq War, Book Forty-Three: Preparing for the Decisive Operation), Tehran: Markaz-e Motaleaat va Tahqiqat-e Jang-e Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, 1378, p. 405.
- [6]. Sahraei, Muhammad, Tarikh-e Defa Muqaddas dar Ilam (History of the Sacred Defense in Ilam), Pp. 120, 187, 188.
- [7]. Zanjani, Habibollah, Rahmani, Fereydoon, Rahnama-ye Jamiat-e Shahrha-ye Iran (Guide to the Population of Iranian Cities), Tehran: Markaz-e Motaleaat va Tahqiqat-e Shahrsazi va Memari-ye Iran, 1368, p. 52.
- [8]. Sahraei, Muhammad, Tarikh-e Defa Muqaddas dar Ilam (History of the Sacred Defense in Ilam), Pp. 256, 265, 266.
- [9]. Daerat al-Maaref-e Defa Muqaddas (Encyclopedia of the Sacred Defense), Pp. 62-63.
- [10]. Setad-e Bazsazi va Nosazi-ye Manateq-e Jangzade-ye Keshvar, Shenassnameh-ye Projeha-ye Bazsazi va Nosazi-ye Manateq-e Jangzade-ye Keshvar, Ostan-e Ilam, Shahrestan-e Abdanan (Catalogue of Reconstruction and Renovation Projects in War-Damaged Areas of the Country, Ilam Province, Abdanan County), Tehran: Jehad-e Daneshgahi-ye Daneshgah-e Tehran, 1377, Pp. 20-28.
- [11]. Faridi Majid, Fatemeh, Sargozasht-e Taqsimat-e Keshvari-ye Iran (History of Iran’ s Administrative Divisions), p. 62.
- [12]. Markaz-e Aamar-e Iran, Natayej-e Tafsili-ye Sarshomari-ye Omoomi-ye Nofoos va Maskan 1395 (Detailed Results of the 2016 General Population and Housing Census), Tehran: Ravabet-e Omoomi va Hamkariha-ye Beynolmelal-e Markaz-e Aamar-e Iran, 1397, p. 54.
