Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 23

The calm that prevailed on the front often allowed me to spend most of my time studying beside my trench. It never crossed my mind that a bullet might pass right by my ear. One day, as usual, I was absorbed in reading when suddenly a bullet whizzed just a few centimeters from my nose. Startled, I jumped to my feet. I saw that one of the soldiers was holding a starling and was very pleased with his catch.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 22

It seemed that Major Hasan, the staff officer commanding the 1st Regiment, had stolen the villagers’ sheep after the poor residents fled their devastated villages. The next day, I asked that soldier to excuse me from eating that food. So he wouldn’t become suspicious, I said, “This dish is a special gift for the brigade commander, and if I eat it without his knowledge, it might cause trouble for you.”

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 21

On the evening of January 15, 1981, I arrived in Joffeir and, as usual, was greeted with the mission orders that had been prepared for me. The next day, I packed my things and headed to the “P” Brigade headquarters. I decided to arrive there at noon prayer time, when the shelling of Iranian forces usually stopped. At the appointed hour, I entered the brigade camp.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 20

At 10 a.m. on January 6, 1981, having finished treating the wounded, I was sitting on a chair, waiting and watching. Suddenly, I saw a column of captured Iranian tanks being driven forward by the Baathists. They were ecstatic with joy, but I was deeply moved and angry to see that the Iranians had failed to achieve success in their assault. I asked myself: where is that army and nation that overthrew the Shah?

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 19

In such difficult circumstances, Dr. Ahmad Mufti, who was more frightened than anyone else, abandoned us while we were treating the wounded. Taking advantage of the brief pause during which the evacuation of the injured had stopped, I set out together with Dr. Sabah Rabi'ei to search for him. Eventually, we found him in a shelter adjacent to the doctors' quarters. He was crouched in a corner of the trench, anxiously smoking a cigarette.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 18

This stage of the war was dangerous and fateful for Iran's Islamic Revolution. This was because the country was not militarily, politically, or economically prepared to enter the battlefield; moreover, the military blow that Iraq suddenly inflicted on Iran was relatively severe. Despite the fact that Iran lost a number of its cities and villages, and vast areas of its territory were occupied by Iraqi forces, the Iranian defenders managed to prevent the fall of important cities such as Ahvaz, ...

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 17

Soldier doctors took turns going from the aid center to the "P" Headquarters of the 20th Brigade, so that they could play a part in providing medical assistance. They did not go there voluntarily; nevertheless, they enjoyed both material and spiritual benefits. When we argued with them, they would boast about the achievements of the Ba’athists and pretend to be patriotic, self-sacrificing, and devoted.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 16

Time passed slowly. We were still busy treating sick soldiers, malingerers, and the wounded, telling jokes, and listening to radio news. Although the winter season had arrived, our forces continued around the clock to asphalt the communication roads between the units deployed at the front and their supply centers in “Nashweh.” They also decided to build several ammunition and food depots in the Joffeir area, hoping to make use of them in exceptional circumstances.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 15

In late October 1980, Mobile Medical Unit Eleven was divided into two sections. The administrative section remained in the village of Neshveh under the command of the unit commander, Captain Ehsan al-Heidari—who had recently been transferred to the unit from Al-Rashid Military Hospital—while the technical section, together with medical and relief personnel and their equipment, was deployed in the Jofeir area inside Iranian territory.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 14

On October 26, 1980, an order was issued regarding my departure to the “P” Headquarters of the 20th Brigade. I set out in a military jeep and drove along the asphalt road leading to Ahvaz, which passed by the Hamid Garrison. I stopped briefly to observe the destroyed railway station and the adjacent restaurant. After a few kilometers, the destroyed “microwave” station on the right side of the road caught my attention.