Operation Badr (1985)

Operation Badr
Part of Iran–Iraq War
Date10 – 20 March 1985
(1 week and 3 days)
Location
Northeast of Al-Qurnah
Result Iraqi victory
Territorial
changes
Iran temporarily captures parts of the Baghdad–Basra highway but is forced to abandon control due to an Iraqi counter-response
Belligerents
 Iraq  Iran
Commanders and leaders
Gen. Sultan Hashim Ahmad al-Tai
Gen. Jamal Zanoun
Gen. Hisham Sabah al-Fakhri
Mohsen Rezaee
Mehdi Bakeri 
Strength
40,000–60,000 soldiers 100,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses

2,000 killed
6,000 wounded
3,000 captured


100 tanks, 11 helicopters and 4 aircraft lost

10,000 killed
20,000 wounded
2,000 captured


100 armored vehicles and 24 helicopters lost

Operation Badr was an Iranian operation conducted during the Iran–Iraq War against the forces of Ba'athist Iraq. The Iranians launched their offensive on March 10 and succeeded in capturing a part of the Basra-Amarah-Baghdad highway. The following Iraqi counterattack, however, forced the Iranians out in a continual war of endless stalemate.