Liberation of Khorramshahr · Azad-sazi-ye Khorramshahr

Culture of origin: Iranian · Historical

Holiday sources: Iran · Iranian Arab

Iraqi forces had captured Khorramshahr in October 1980, shortly after Iraq invaded Iran. In spring 1982 Iran launched Operation Beit ol-Moqaddas to retake occupied Khuzestan and, after two days of intense, bloody fighting, recaptured the city, taking about 19,000 Iraqi prisoners. The battle is seen as a turning point in the Iran–Iraq War, and calls for a UN-mandated ceasefire were made three days later.