Meimak is a mountainous region in western Ilam Province, situated directly on the Iran– Iraq border at the zero‑point line. It is one of the most strategically important military locations in the country. The Iraqi army occupied this region on September 10, 1980, twelve days before launching the full-scale invasion of Iran.

The bean‑shaped Meimak Height lies in the southwest of Ilam County and forms part of the province’ s warmer, lowland zones. Its vegetation consists mainly of grasses, astragalus bushes, and a variety of local shrubs known as “ khalaf”, “ vaym”, “ kharshak”, “ shur”, and others.

The area serves as one of the key winter grazing grounds for nomadic herders.

The strategically vital Bina Gorge runs northwest of Meimak, between the important Chekar Heights, and stretches more than five kilometers. The Halaleh plain lies to the south, while the Il-e Boli and Ganjvan areas are to the north. The Bijar Gorge, also more than five kilometers long, runs parallel to Bina Gorge to its west, and the Halaleh– Ganjvan access road passes through it.

Meimak is close to the Iran-Iraq border and holds significant military importance. The height offers excellent observation and fields of fire, giving commanding views over large parts of Iraqi territory and Iran’ s border regions.

Iraq had long shown interest in this area and repeatedly claimed sovereignty over Meimak. During the Pahlavi regime, the region saw frequent border clashes between Iran and Iraq. For this reason, it was among the very first areas targeted and occupied by Iraqi troops at the start of the Iran-Iraq War.

On September 10, 1980 (twelve days before the official beginning of the war), Iraqi forces entered Ilam Province and attacked Meimak. They first captured the Halaleh and Nei-Khazar border posts that protected Meimak, but it took them a full week to overcome the resistance of Iranian forces stationed in the heights and fully occupy the Meimak mountains.⁠[1] After the occupation, Iran reinforced the area with additional troops. The 81st Armored Division of Kermanshah (Army), along with tribal forces, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Region 7 units, and Army Aviation (Havanirooz) teams, were deployed across this front.⁠[2]

The first Iranian attempt to retake Meimak took place on September 24, 1980. Although the operation did not succeed in full, Iranian forces managed to capture 25 Iraqi soldiers and inflict casualties.⁠[3]

To liberate the Meimak Heights, Operation Zarbat-e Zulfiqar began on January 9, 1981, with the codeword “ Ya Allah”.⁠[4] The operation was commanded by the Army and involved the 1st Brigade of the 81st Armored Division, Army Aviation, units of the Ilam IRGC, and tribal Basij. The Iranian forces advanced from the northern axis through Bina Gorge and from the southern axis via Sarni to free the Meimak Heights. After several days of fighting, they took control of the main peaks (Kalleh-Qandi, 620, 525, and 540).⁠[5] These successes provoked Iraqi counterattacks and repeated assaults, yet Iranian forces held their ground, and by February 9, 1981, Iraqi fire had finally tapered off. Subsequently, Iranians could consolidate their positions in the key Kalleh-Qandi Height as well as the main Meimak peaks.⁠[6]

Because Iraqi troops still held positions on the northern heights and western slopes of Meimak, Operation Ashura was launched at sunset on October 17, 1984, with the codeword “ Ya Aba Abdellah al-Hussain (as) ”.⁠[7] The semi-broad operation was planned and commanded by the IRGC with Army participation. It resulted in the liberation of more than 40 square kilometers of occupied Iranian territory.⁠[8]

Seven years into the Iran-Iraq War, parts of Meimak remained under enemy control. In early 1987, Iraqi troops reoccupied other parts of this area. Subsequently, Operation Nasr 2 began on June 3, 1987, with the codeword “ Ya Hussain Mazloom (as) ”. Carried out by the Army Ground Force, it aimed to free heights overlooking supply routes and destroy enemy forces. Ultimately, the western heights— known as the “ Naf-e Meimak” — were liberated.⁠[9]

To free the remaining occupied parts of Halaleh, Operation Nasr 6 was launched on August 1, 1987, with the codeword “ Ya Aba Abdellah al-Hussain (as) ”. Planned by the Army Ground Force and supported by Army Aviation, it succeeded in driving the enemy out of the area, and so the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran was raised over Meimak.⁠[10]

In the summer of 1988, Iraqis again crossed into Iranian territory from the western, southern, and northwestern borders, raising fears of another attempt to seize Meimak.⁠[11] In response, one battalion from the 11th Amir al-Muminin (as) Division (IRGC), supported by the Khezel, Boubli, and Ganjvan clans, attacked the Iraqi forces and deterred them from reoccupying the Meimak Heights.⁠[12]

One key reason for Iraq’ s failure to hold Meimak early in the war was the efforts of Army Aviation pilots. Among them was Ahmad Keshvari, who was martyred in the Meimak on December 6, 1980.⁠[13]

A Memorial was built in Meimak in 2022 in honor of Ahmad Keshvari and others who sacrificed their lives in Meimak. Also, the commemoration ceremony for those who were martyred during Operation Meimak was held on January 13, 2023, at the Keshvari Memorial in the Meimak operational zone.⁠[14]