Operation Dawn 3

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Operation Dawn 3
Part of Iran–Iraq War
Date 30 July – 9 August 1983 (1 week and 3 days) Location Mehran, Ilam Province Result Iraqi victory Iranian offensive failure Iraqi counter-attack succeeds Territorial changes Iraq captures Mehran
Belligerents
Iraq	Iran
Strength
60,000	180,000
Casualties and losses
6,000 killed 60 tanks lost[1]	7,000 killed 15,000 wounded[1]

Operation Dawn 3 or Operation Valfajr-3 (Persian: عملیات والفجر-۳) was an operation during the Iran–Iraq War. The operation was launched in the range of "semi-extensive operation" located in the general area of Mehran (in Ilam Province);^[2] and eventually led in the liberation of Mehran by Iranian forces.^[3] Iran's goals of the operation were as follows:

• Liberation of Mehran city from the eye/range of the enemy
• Making facility in the relation of "Dehloran–Mehran" and also "Ilam–Mehran"
• Modulation of defense lines against the enemy (Iraq), and pulling it from the heights to plain(s).^[4]

It was Iran's worst defeat out of all the Dawn operations. Around 180,000 Iranian troops participated in this offensive, which targeted the central front in the region of Mehran.^[5] However, withering Iraqi firepower in support of deeply entrenched troops slaughtered the advancing Iranians. Although Iranian troops were highly motivated, they were poorly trained and equipped for this battle. For Iran, the operation was a disaster.

The Iraqis struck back by emerging from their trenches to counterattack into Iran and capture Mehran, for the second time.