Iran's Drive on Basra Seen a Tactical Success; Observers Note Attackers' Hold on Terrain

From: The Washington Post | Date: January 26, 1987| Author: | Copyright information

Military analysts here, noting signs that Iran's 16-day-old military thrust toward Basra has stalled, say they consider the Iranian showing a success even if it fails to reach the strategic Iraqi port on the disputed Shatt al Arab waterway.

A final verdict on the offensive will hinge on whether the Iranian forces can consolidate their three- to six-mile push through Iraq's outer defenses of Basra, one analyst said.

According to eyewitness reports from the front, the Iranian forces, spearheaded by an estimated five divisions of Revolutionary Guards, have overrun at least two and possibly ...

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