Seyyed of Quarters 15 (24)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

After being counted in the morning and having breakfast, I picked my toothbrush and toothpaste and went to the toilet. I was brushing when my toothbrush was suddenly released my hold, fell into the toilet bowel, and got stuck in it. The Iraqis did not give us Fils for a while, therefore we could not buy our needed supplies.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (23)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Mansour Mollahzadeh was one of the members of the base. His father had granted us one of his shops which was near the local base. We used it as the center of our Islamic Association and hold our Quran-reciting meetings there. At sunset, along with neighborhood people, whether the young or the teenagers, we gathered in front of the base and all together went to the mosque for performing congregational prayer.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (22)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Manouchehr had broken ears and for being more comfortable, reported the news of quarters and prisoners’ conversations to the Iraqis. I said to myself that what the hell I have done. But surely the Iraqis hated anyone or anything that cause order and spirituality among the captives. On that day, the camp commander came.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (21)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Smoker prisoners could neglect whatever but the cigarettes. Iraqis gave ‘Winston’ cigarettes to the prisoners. Tobacco and cigarette papers were separated. With greed, the smokers wrapped tobacco with papers and then wetted the end of paper with their tongue to stick together.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (20)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

At the first day of school, my brother, Seyyed Hojat, took my hand and we went to school together. A few days ago, my older brother, Jaber, had enrolled me in Reza Pahlavi School . At the first day of school, many had worn new clothes. A few of students came with their parents. Two or three of students had taken their fathers and mothers hand and were close to tears. We queued.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (19)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Seyyed Mojtaba Jasemi, Gholam Reza Fooladi, and Hossein Asadzadeh were prisoners of quarters 14. Jasemi who was one of engineer support troops in Abolfazl Battalion of Lorestan, had been captured on July 23rd 1988. For reconnoitering the location of Iraqis, Seyyed Mojtaba along with three other colleagues went ahead with a Land Cruiser and near the Kalehdavood strait, they encountered with Iraqis ambush. By Iraqis shooting, their car caught fire and they jumped out. Seyyed Mojtaba said that one of his colleagues died a martyr there and others severely injured.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (18)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

A few days had passed, and I had seen a few of the prisoners sat together and talked. One of them was Akbar Karami, deputy of Meghdad brigade. They all walked together and exchanged some words when we were taken outdoors to take in fresh air. Then, little by little, I found out that Mahdi Palang, Azizi, who was from Kangavar, and Heydari, one of commanders of Kerend-e Gharb battalions, were friends of Karami. Azizi was an old man and religious. He always repeated the name of God as a prayer. I realized they are trying to control and guide other prisoners.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (17)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

We were on the way a few hours until reached a camp. Like Jalula camp, I saw soldiers are waiting for us with cables and batons, when got off the IFA truck. My arms and back still hurt because of previous blows of cable and baton in the Jalula camp. I took my hand in front of my face. I received a dozen blows of batons until I reached to the entrance of the quarters. We all were sat down in five queues. One of the officers came in and stood next to us.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (16)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

There was not much traffic on the road. Sometimes, a military vehicle came close from the opposite side of road and passed. After about two hours, we reached to one of their headquarters. A few other prisoners added to us. One of the soldiers asked us to hand over everything we had. I did not have anything. The others gave their watches and money. We moved off again. It was now dark and a light was seen from far away.

Seyyed of Quarters 15 (15)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

The evening on the 27th July 1988, it was sixth days we were displaced and in the state of siege. I decided to return to the location of brigade. Turning to others I said, "If we want to survive here we have to provide food and water for ours. Who is ready to go with me to the brigade?"