Joint Operation Arvand
The Joint Operation Arvand (Persian: عملیات مشترک اروند, more known by its Persian acronym AMA, عما)[6] was a show of force operation[2] orchestrated in April 1969 by the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces following Iraqi claim for the sovereign right to Shatt al-Arab/Arvand Rud and threatening to block passage of vessels unless they fly Iraqi flag.[3]
Joint Operation Arvand | |
---|---|
Part of the Persian Gulf Conflict and the Cold War | |
Location of the operation | |
Type | Show of force |
Location | Shatt al-Arab river, Iran–Iraq border |
Objective | Escorting Iranian shipping |
Date | 22–25 April 1969 |
Executed by |
|
Outcome | Iranian victory
|
Casualties | None |
On 22 April 1969, Iranian merchant ship Ebn-e-Sina, carrying a cargo of steel beams and flying Iranian flag, was escorted by Iranian heavily armed naval vessels, as well as jet fighters[4] and proceeded through the river into the Persian Gulf, in an 80-mile journey which took about six hours.[1] However, the Iraqi forces did not attempt to respond as it pledged.[4]
Both countries strengthened their land forces along the river bank, stationing artillery, tanks and anti-aircraft weapons. Iranian troops were positioned in the vicinity of Khorramshahr and Abadan, while Iraq put its forces in Basra on alert.[4]
Iranian freighter Arya Far passed through the river escorted by four gunboats three days later, with no disturbance.[4]
References
- "Iranian Ship Challenges Iraq Estuary", The Advocate-Messenger, p. 16, 27 April 1969, retrieved 26 October 2017
- Ward, Steven R. (2014). Immortal, Updated Edition: A Military History of Iran and Its Armed Forces. Georgetown University Press. p. 202. ISBN 9781626160651.
- Abdulghani, Jasim M. (2012). Iraq and Iran (RLE Iran A). Taylor & Francis. p. 121. ISBN 9781136834264.
- Stürchler, Nikolas (2007). The Threat of Force in International Law. Cambridge University Press. p. 202. ISBN 9781139464918.
- Charles P. Wallace (19 August 1988), "Iran, Iraq Still Fail to Bridge Waterway Dispute", Los Angeles Times, retrieved 26 October 2017
- "Dialogue With General Hassani Sadi", Negin-e-Iran (in Persian), 3 (9): 8–40, Summer 2004, archived from the original on 2018-08-01, retrieved 2017-10-25