Operation Matla al‑Fajr, carried out in late 1981 under the joint command of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), took place in the Gilan‑e Gharb, Kermanshah Province. The aim was to seize the Shiya Kuh Heights and the surrounding areas, but because Iranian forces lacked sustained support, the captured positions could not be held.

When Iraq invaded Iran on September 22, 1980, its forces advanced into western Iran and occupied key highlands around Gilan‑e Gharb, including Shiya Kuh and Charmian, establishing strong defensive positions. By seizing border observation posts, Iraq gained long‑range visibility over Iranian military movements and, by laying extensive minefields and building deeper defensive belts, prevented Iran from conducting any operations in the area. In late September 1981, the 58th Zulfaqar Brigade of the Army drafted the first “ Zulfaqar 1 Plan”, aiming to penetrate ten kilometers behind Iraqi fortifications.⁠[1]

The plan was initially known as “ Karbala 7” and later renamed Operation Matla al‑Fajr. It was designed to be carried out northwest of Gilan‑e Gharb and southwest of Sarpol‑e Zahab, across the Charmian and Shiya Kuh heights, Tang‑e Qasem, and the general Gilan‑e Gharb region, which included the land between the mountains and the Gilan River, known as the Gilan Plain.⁠[2]

The operation also aimed to pave the way for liberating Qasr‑e Shirin, gaining oversight over Iran’ s Naft Shahr as well as both Iraq’ s Naft Shahr and Ban‑Mil, and supporting major operations on the southern front, including the liberation of Bostan.⁠[3]

Based on the plan, the 81st Armored Division of the Army would execute the offensive by deploying the 58th Infantry Brigade to the northern sector and the 3rd Brigade to the southern axis of Gilan‑e Gharb– Qasr‑e Shirin. Also, the 3rd Armored Brigade would attack from north to southwest, capturing the Tang‑e Koorek Heights and the northern elevations of Tang‑e Qasemabad. The 58th Brigade would push forward from the northwest to seize the Charmian and Shiya Kuh heights south of Tang‑e Qasem.⁠[4]

The operation began at 3 AM on December 11, 1981, with the codeword “ Ya Mahdi (as), Adrekni” and ended after 17 days on December 27.⁠[5]

The fighting took place on four main fronts— Bansiran, Shiya Kuh, Charmian, and the Gilan Plain— with Bar‑Aftab as a secondary axis. Each front included four sub‑axes designed to break through Iraqi defensive lines. As the operation began, six IRGC battalions, one battalion from the Zulfaqar Brigade, and an armored platoon (Army) advanced along four routes from the Bansiran– Shiya Kuh front. In the first axis, Iranian forces captured Fereydoon‑Kooshyar, Chaleh‑Badam, Beznili, Anar, and hills 4 and 5 on the eastern slopes of Fereydoon‑Kooshyar. In the second axis, two IRGC battalions and the 1st Battalion of the 58th Brigade (Army) managed to liberate the Shiya Kuh, as well as Hassan and Hussain heights. In the third axis, one IRGC battalion and a company from the 1st Battalion of the 58th Brigade captured the Dareh‑Gar, Chel‑Kasan, and Talvar elevations. But in the fourth axis, an IRGC battalion arrived late, and the failure in one of the Charmian axes caused the Iranians to withdraw.⁠[6]

In the Charmian front, forces also advanced along four axes. In the first, an IRGC battalion, a company from the 3rd Battalion of the Zulfaqar Brigade (Army), and a tank platoon seized Gachi‑1 and Gachi‑2 heights as well as Charmian. However, as several key commanders were martyred and the forces became disorganized, the liberated areas could not be held. In the second axis, although an IRGC battalion and a company from the 3rd Battalion of the 58th Brigade of the Army reached the Klinneh and Kasarkhan heights, and Serttan observation posts, only the Serttan position on the northeastern slope of Charmian was held. Also, three Iraqi tanks were captured. In the third axis, an IRGC battalion and a company from the 3rd Battalion of the 58th Zulfaqar Brigade (Army) reached their objectives and liberated the Kalkeh‑Tala and Dizeh‑Kesh heights. Several Iraqi soldiers were captured, two Iraqi 130‑mm artillery pieces were destroyed with RPGs, and an Iraqi helicopter was shot down. In the fourth axis, the Iraqi troops positioned on the right flank of Tang‑e Qasemabad, and the failure of Iranian forces in the Bar‑Aftab axis prevented further advance toward the Serttan village.⁠[7]

On December 11, the IRGC and Army commanders, along with the Joint Staff, issued a statement explaining the results of the first day of the operation. On the same day, Imam Khomeini (ra) sent a message of appreciation, congratulating the soldiers and commanders for their achievements.⁠[8] That day, Gholam‑Ali Pichak, commander of the Tang‑e Koorek axis, was martyred in the Bar‑Aftab Heights.⁠[9]

In the third main axis of the operation— the western Gilan Plain east of the Charmian Mountain— forces advanced along four sub‑axes. In the first, an IRGC battalion and a company from the 2nd Battalion of the 58th Zulfaqar Brigade (Army) captured Peak 920 in addition to the Morad and Sadafi heights, but after the failure in the Charmian front and Iraqi control over the heights, they retreated. In the second axis, failure to seize the Mooshkanan Heights in the first axis prevented further advance toward the Marjan elevations. In the third axis, due to the martyrdom of the axis commander and insufficient reconnaissance, Iranians only managed to secure the Sarpol‑e Zahab– Qasr‑e Shirin asphalt road. In the fourth axis, IRGC guerrilla units were supposed to capture the Booreh‑Savar, Qeytool‑e Marjan, Marjan, and Gamqal heights, but after the axis commander was martyred by a landmine and due to failures in the Charmian and Tang‑e Koorek fronts, the objectives were not achieved.⁠[10]

Despite initial gains in taking control over parts of the heights behind Tang‑e Koorek, Tang‑e Qasemabad, and the Bar‑Aftab ridge in the Bar‑Aftab front, which was considered a secondary axis, increasing Iraqi pressure and insufficient reconnaissance caused a withdrawal. Although most of the objectives in the southern axes (Shiya Kuh and Charmian) were achieved, the northern axes did not see any success.⁠[11]

Heavy and continuous Iraqi counterattacks on the one hand, and the long distance between Iranian frontlines and logistical bases on the other, prevented the consolidation of gains. Therefore, after seventeen days, the operation ended without securing the captured areas.⁠[12]

Overall, the operation resulted in the liberation of the Charmian, Shiya Kuh, Dizeh‑Kesh, Bar‑Aftab, and Tang‑e Koorek heights, Shak‑Niyan Plain, as well as the villages of Gar, Goor‑Sefid, and Goor‑Savar in the Gilan‑e Gharb Plain. Moreover, one Iraqi helicopter was shot down, more than 1,700 Iraqi soldiers were killed or wounded, and 140 were taken prisoner. Several Iraqi units, including the 2nd, 36th, 412th, 425th, and 503rd infantry brigades, the 4th Tank Battalion, and the 32nd Special Forces Brigade, were destroyed, and Iraqi commando companies suffered heavy losses.⁠[13]