The Diver of Prophet Yunus (AS) Battalion:

We did not even imagine of being defeated in Karbala 4 Operation.

Interviewed and Compilation by: Sara Reshadizadeh
Translated by: Atiyeh As'ad

2015-9-27

Note: The Two hundred and sixtieth program of "Night of Memories" which is held on the first Thursday of each month at Hozeyeh Honari (Art Center) was assigned to the memories of 3 divers who fought in Karbala 4 Operation.

After discovering 175 anonymous bound divers at Abu Floos region in Iraq and transferring their bodies to homeland, two of these martyrs were buried in Arts Center yard in a formal funeral ceremony.

So at the two hundred and sixtieth program of "Night of Memories", we listened to the memories of divers who fought in Karbala 4 Operation.

Mohammad Ali Esfanani, the representative of Fereydunshahr in 9th Majlis is one of the divers of Prophet Yunus (AS) Battalion from Imam Hossein Army in Isfahan who told his memories of Karbala 4 Operation at the intervals of the meeting.

At First please introduce yourself and tell us about the family that you have been grown up in.

I am Mohammad Ali Esfanani and I'm 47 years old. I was less than 15 years old at the beginning of imposed war. I liked to go to the frontlines soon but because of my fragile and delicate body and my young age, it was impossible. In addition to this problem, after the death of my father I was considered as the head of the family in Fereydunshahr.

However, I felt the task I had and I think this was because of high conscience of the society at those days. People thought with themselves while other people were fighting at the frontlines and getting wounded and captured and veterans so they should also do the same thing and I think the only reason that made me to go to the frontlines at an early age was that I felt the task.

Which region did you go to at the beginning of the dispatching to the frontlines?

I was dispatched to Kurdistan in 1983. Iraq attacked from the South and Komala and Democrats attacked in Kurdistan. Therefore, due to the advice of one of the commanders, I went to Kurdistan instead of going to Imam Hossein (AS) Army, but in the next dispatches I accompanied Imam Hossein (AS) Army.

How come did you choose to be a diver?

Acting as a diver in Imam Hossein (AS) Army was optional and they only would select the forces that were in a good physical shape. After going to the frontlines I grew up fast and after the formation of Yunus (AS) Battalion, I was selected as a diver and our first operation was Valfajr 8 Operation (Operation Dawn 8).

Where were you trained for diving?

The first idea of forming a diving battalion was formed after Badr Operation. After Kheibar Operation at Hour-al-Azim where all the area was under water, Khatam-al-Anbia (PBUH) Encampment came to the conclusion that operations should be done in the South, Persian Gulf and near the sea. There, they selected some people from every army and trained them so that they could train the others. We were also trained for diving in Khuzestan, Kharg Island and Isfahan.

In which operation did you do diving?

First I did diving at Valfajr 8 Operation which was performed at Arvand-Rud leading to the conquest of Faw, then I did diving at Karbala 3 Operation which was also a great operation in the heart of Persian Gulf and finally participated as a diver at Karbala 4 Operation in the command of Haj Ahmad Mosavi. Haj Ahmad Mosavi was the commander in chief of the intelligence-operation and commander of divers of Yunus Prophet (AS) Battalion of Imam Hossein (AS) Army.

A lot has been said on Karbala 4 Operation for instance, the operation was leaked before. Please tell us about the atmosphere of the night before the operation as a person who was present there?

Karbala 4 Operation had special features that could be discussed at many expert meetings. Unfortunately, sometimes it is being extorted, even one of the authorities talked about the operation on air unfairly.

Karbala 4 Operation was performed after Karbala 3 and because of the victory in the operation (Karbala 3) we had high spirits. We even haven't imagined about being defeated and we all had gone there with the intention of victory.

Did anyone think about the chance of failure of the operation?

Among the participants of Karbala 4 Operation were those who were more alert and did recognize the issues. So based on some evidences we felt before the operation that Iraqis were aware of the operation but we did not share it with anybody and did not get demoralized.

Do you remember anything about the warriors' spirit at the night before the operation?

I remember one of the young warriors who were crying before the operation as he saw me, ran to me and said: “The commander has ordered not to take me to the operation; he would listen to you, please come and tell him to take me with himself.”

I was so surprised that I went to the commander and he replied me: “His brother and him are both at the same company and I can't convince myself that both members of a family get martyred at the same time.” But finally that warrior could convince his commander to be present at the operation.

The warriors also had a strong spiritual connection with God. That night (before Karbala 4 Operation) we were in a 12 meters square area trench. We were to say our Evening Prayers, have a supper and then begin the operation. I don't remember well; they said Ashura or Tavasol Prayer after their Evening Prayer and prostrated and prayed a lot. As we were in a hurry, we boosted the lantern light so that they terminate the prostration soon but since they were in tears and in a high spiritual mood we had to darken the place again so that they could pray more.

I just want to say they did not think about failure; we were obliged not to tell anyone that the operation leaked before but no one had the slightest doubt of success of the operation otherwise we could see some people escaping and running away during the operation. But it did not happen.

When did you find out about the failure of Karbala 4 Operation?

It was about 2 A.M we found out that the operation had failed.

How did you return from the operation?

It was 9 or 10 A.M and we were at Baljaniyeh Island and we were aware that the operation had stopped, at that time we realized that Iraqis were coming towards us from three directions. We had no doubt of resisting against them but we had no weapons even bayonets to defend. It was only a widespread sea in front of us.

Some of the troops had come by boat and could not swim or they were injured, they suggested to stand and get captured or martyred but others and me opposed the idea and knew that Iraqis will treat us badly because of the hatred they felt for divers.

When The Iraqis were just 10 meters away from us, we jumped into water. They were shooting us but we did not pay any attention and returned. But of course we were not saved because of the diving suits since swimming in diving suits is difficult as it keeps people on top of the water.

How many people did return from your battalion?

I do not know exactly but I think 100 to 150 guys returned from 500 divers.

Which operations did you participate in after Karbala 4?

I participated in Karabala 5 Operation but I was not a diver and then I participated in Nasr 4 and Beit-ul-Moghadas 7 Operation that I was a diver in Beit-ul-Moghadas 7. I returned back a couple of months after signing of the resolution.

As the last question, have you told your memories anywhere?

I have told my memories at the meetings but I have not put them into a book but I really intend to do so.