The Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor - 36

Our regiment was deployed in a defensive position. For this reason, our forces mainly participated in combat patrol operations - reconnaissance and creating night ambushes in the forbidden area. Although the regiment's officers and non-commissioned officers were reluctant to carry out these dangerous and tiring missions, they were forced to participate in them anyway. Orders for carrying out patrol operations...

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 35

The summer of 1981 amounted to a period of rest for the Iranian forces stationed at our brigade's location. The main combat activities were limited to mutual exchanges of fire, combat-reconnaissance patrol operations, and setting up ambushes. Although the Iranian side had taken on a state of lethargy and relaxation, our forces, after implementing all defensive measures, remained on full alert.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 34

He was an officer of Kurdish origin, a native of Baghdad serving as an intelligence officer in the regiment. The job of the intelligence section was essentially to spy on military personnel on behalf of the regime and gather information about the enemy. The common traits of intelligence officers were ruthlessness, violence, and mistreatment. However, Captain Salam, in addition to possessing all these characteristics, was extremely cowardly and was known as one of the most ...

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 33

Every two weeks, shortly after sunset, I would go to Mobile Medical Unit Eleven. On the way there, my driver "Karim" would drive the car, and on the way back, I would drive, because at night he would fall asleep behind the wheel. He was a very clean and polite soldier. I liked him. Despite these difficult and harsh conditions, I felt fortunate, because with complete freedom, far from the eyes of intelligence ...

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 32

Three weeks later, after the shelling had ceased, I visited the regiment’s positions. During this visit, I observed the traces and signs of the battle that had taken place on January 5, 1981, within the area controlled by the 35th Armored Brigade. I also noticed one of our own ambulances, buried under the soil, with visible burn marks on it. I examined it closely.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 31

The third regiment, which was the mechanized regiment, consisted of 50 Russian-made armored personnel carriers of the PTR60 type. This time, the situation was different from previous missions, because this was the front line, and I could easily observe the movements and transfers of Iranian forces. This time, they were shooting at us with various weapons, even simple ones, whereas previously we had only been targeted by artillery.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 30

In early May 1981, I returned from regular leave and joined the 11th Field Medical Unit. This return marked the beginning of various events and incidents, as well as a long stay on the front lines—one filled with diverse happenings and transformations. I was living through conditions and days whose bitter and painful traces will never be erased from my memory.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 29

The ambulance stopped, and we headed toward the well. We pulled the bucket out from the bottom of the well and washed our hands and faces. The driver poured some water into the radiator. We spent a few minutes walking around that small village. With the small camera I had with me, I took a few souvenir photos. Then I set off toward the shrine. I took off my shoes and entered the shrine.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 28

Life on the front lines was very boring and monotonous. I felt as if the hands of my clock were moving slowly. Back then, my range of activities was limited to my own bunker, the rest bunker, eating meals with the other officers, and going back and forth to other bunkers. I usually spent my free time talking with others, reading, and listening to radio programs.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 27

On March 29, 1981, Banisadr once again tested his military plan through a military operation, but this time too, he achieved no success. The operation area was located near the village of “Kooheh.” That day, the concentration of water between our embankments and those of the Iranians had created a barrier separating the two sides’ forces. Engineering units were measuring the volume of water in the prohibited zone ...