A Khuzestani POW Narrative of Returning Days to Iran
Restating goodbye of the operation nights at the moment of freedom
Maryam Asadi Jafary
Translated by Ruhollah Golmoradi
2016-8-29
Note: The sweet taste of liberty from camps of the Iraqi Baath Party and freedom painful and unforgettable tortures will never be forgotten for freedmen of eight years of the sacred defense. That's because and despite decades after those days, the minds will retain events and memories of those days. On the occasion of the anniversary of the returning freedmen to the homeland, a section of memories of disabled veteran freedman, Asqar Baimaninezhad have reviewed the days leading up to the release and return to Iran.
Please introduce yourself and tell us in which line did you dispatch to the front and captured?
I'm Asqar Baimaninezhad, Freedman and disabled veteran of 70 percent that in 1983, while I was 14-year-old and I, along with brigade 15 of Imam Hassan from Khuzestan, dispatched of Haftkel, Khuzestan, participated in Kheibar operation and strait of Chazabeh. Because of striking quiver at my skull and several other areas I became unconscious and I was taken Iraq as captive. I was about 20 days in hospital Al-Rasheed of Baghdad. After that, they took us to a camp Mosul 2 where prisoners of operation Khyber were there. I was there until the end of captivity. My body situation was not well. Because of striking quiver at skull, part of my brain was out of skin and was apparent. For this reason, the left side of my body was completely paralyzed and my co-prisoners in captivity got into trouble and helped me in my works. I was more than two years in captivity.
When did you become informed of possibility of freedom and the return to Iran? Do you remember the day and its date?
Indeed, now thirty years have passed since then. It was 1986 but I do not remember its month. I think it was summer and August. In any case, when we heard the news related to release of me and some of guys, we were very happy. Because we had no idea of freedom given the situation that we ourselves had in the camp, we did not think that maybe one day be freed. Because of torture and bothers that could see of Such as the enemy, we knew that he was not in mind of liberating! We thought that might all the fighters would be martyred here and be finished. But the grace of God, we came to Iran to continue to serve the community.
What was the reason of Iraqis to release you?
We were told that is, a group of 29 individuals of Iranian prisoners wounded were in the exchange of 120 Iraqis wounded. When it was, some friends and I, as disabled prisoners, were freed earlier. A week before they interrogated us permanently and we were highly treated and investigating by Red Cross and Iraqi doctors.
What was Baathists questions about in interrogations?
In interrogations they wanted to see if we really are injured or are malingering. But my appearance was completely clear. But they were so strict that we could no longer believe that we will be free. Several times we were taken to the door of the camp and returned. Then they would state you will not be free today. They wanted to bother us mentally. This was repeated for several days.
But finally, despite intense bothers of freedman Baathists, you were released. What did you think at nights before your release? You were thinking about your family or friends and captives that would stay in the camp?
Believe me that I thought more for my friends who I was separated them. I was 14 years old and did not have much worldly concerns. I venture it, because a while that I was before friends, because of severe injuries that I had, they got into trouble for us. These guys while they were really in a hard situation, they have struggled for us and now are unknown. People like me who had severe injuries, need to take care. Night and day we were treated. If people are in prison because of a special case, when they would be informed news of their freedom, perhaps, be happy and feel very happy to be returning home. But when it comes to belief and homeland defense, really because of the separation from friends who we were in the camp next to them, it was very difficult.
Speak about the moment of leaving the camp. How was making friends’ farewell?
On the last day in which we make our friends farewell, whatever we had, like a worry bead that were made of palm kernel, gave them as a memorial and we wanted them to forgive us. It was like the mood of farewell night of the operation. It was very difficult to us to leave our friends. Our heart was heavy in the chest. We were separated from our friends a day before the release, and quarantined in other barracks at Camp Ramadi. Then they took us by bus to the Baghdad airport. Of 29 people, almost 8 or 9 were of our camp.
When you got on the bus, did you felt freedom definitely?
We would not think that going back. Despite being told it is scheduled to be freed and the Red Cross had given names, our bodies were still in captivity fever. They took us to the Baghdad airport and were taken through air to Turkey. We hadn't a special attachment to this side [the family]. We were more concerned about captive guys. After more than two years in captivity, finally we were exchanged with a number of wounded Iraqis.
Did you stop in Turkey?
I remember they brought us by a Red Cross plane - If I'm not mistaken –to Ankara airport, and Sepah guys had come from Tehran and we were welcomed. Iran's ambassador in Turkey spoke and we were transferred to Iran. Interestingly when we had got on the plane we saw a fighter plane appeared alongside our plane. All of us feared that it is Iraqi aircraft and it is the last moment to shoot up a rocket and there would be no coming back. Apparently fighter pilot contacted our pilot and said that we are Iranian pilots and came to protect "freed captives," At that time, it was used to say "freed captives", did not say freedman. The fighter aircraft come near windows and began to shaking hands. They twisted two times and distanced us, but they came with us to border of Iran.
Talk about the entry time into Iranian territory. Who did welcome you?
When the plane landed at Mehrabad airport, good old days, martyr Ayatollah Mahalati, Sepah guys and Red Crescent welcomed us. The Islamic Republic march was played and martyr Mahalati speech, and eventually we were taken to the hospital. We were quarantined a few days for treatment and healthy issues, and then, gradually everyone's family came and returned to their cities. We who were from Khuzestan stayed a few days. Due to my physical situation I stayed a week-10 days. Some of my acquaintances contacted me in the hospital and inquired me and my feelings about returning to Iran. I told them I do not feel anything because I thought more about my friends who were in homesickness and torture. For they've been captured those who had no commitment to human rights. After that we returned Ahvaz, friends and fellow citizens welcomed me marvelously in Ahvaz airport. Ahvaz distance away Haftkel 80 KM. Perhaps, at 25 km distance away our city entrance to the city itself there were cars and the crowd. After that we went to the heaven (cemetery) Masoumeh. A gravestone that was made for us show us. That is I saw my own tombstone. Population was so unique, photographs are also available. When I review photos and see people who were later martyred either have died and some has gotten older, I'm proud that God gave us such glory by captivity that so much respect us and welcome us.
If they had made tombstone for you did that they believe you had martyred in operation Khyber? How was reaction of your parents in the first meeting after the release?
I had a special attachment to my mother. He had never believed that I martyred. Whatever my friends said that I had martyred in operation, she would not accept and waiting my coming back. They even wanted to hold anniversary of the martyrdom for me that my letter in captivity reached him. Even I have kept condolences banners and announcements as a memento. When we returned, my parent happiness was indescribable. They were very happy, like many mothers whose children were released from captivity. Because our area is from Baḵhtiari tribe, people had their own special joy. They were shooting upward and cheering. When I was captured, I was in grade 9. When I came back they told me we diploma you, but I refused and I went to school with a cane. I studied and now I Graduated MA and serving veterans community.
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