Abu Ja’far

During the final days of the year 1359 AHS, it was announced that the forces had carried out another operation in the Bazi Deraz altitudes. It was decided that the Andarzgu Group should penetrate into the depths of the enemy’s position at the same time. In addition to Ibrahim for this job, Wahhab Qanbari[1] , Reza Gudini and I were also chosen. Shahrokh Nuraee and Heshmat Kuhpaykar from the local Kurds accompanied us. We picked up the necessary equipment such as food, weapons, and a few anti-vehicle mines. When it grew dark, we moved towards the altitudes. By crossing the altitudes, we came to the Dasht Gilan field. When the sun rose, we established ourselves in a suitable place and hid. During the day we rested, investigated the enemy’s position, and scrutinized the roads in the plain.We prepared a map of the region the enemy had infiltrated. The plain in front of us had two roads. One was an asphalt road (Dasht Gilan Road); and, the other one was a dirt road, which was used only for military activities. The distance between these two roads was about five kilometers. An Iraqi company was responsible for their security and was deployed on the hills and the area surrounding the roads.When it grew dark, we moved out after praying. Reza Gudini and I went towards the asphalt road; and, the other forces went towards the dirt road. We took shelter next to the road. When the road was empty, we quickly went on the road. We put two anti-vehicle mines in the holes in the road. We covered them with some dirt and moved towards the dirt road quickly. From the transfers of the enemy forces, it was obvious that the Iraqis were still fighting in Bazi Deraz. Most of the Iraqi forces and vehicles were going in that direction. We hadn’t yet reached the dirt road when we heard the sound of a terrible explosion from behind us. We both abruptly sat on the ground and turned around! An Iraqi tank had gone on the mines and was burning. After a few seconds the bullets in the tank started exploding one by one. The whole plain was lit up by the burning tank. A strange fear and anxiety had risen in the hearts of the Iraqis. Most of the Iraqi guards were shooting aimlessly. When we got to Ibrahim and the others, they had carried out their missions too. We moved towards the altitudes together. Ibrahim said, “We have a lot of time till morning. We have weapons and ammunition too. Let’s ambush the enemy and put more fear in their hearts.” The words of Ibrahim hadn’t finished yet when suddenly the sound of an explosion came from the dirt road. An Iraqi vehicle had gone over a mine and been destroyed. We were happy that the operation had been successful. The sound of the shooting of the Iraqis intensified. They realized that our forces had penetrated their positions. Thus, they started shooting mortars and flares. We went towards the mountain quickly. There was a hill in front of us. Suddenly an Iraqi jeep came towards us from behind it. It was so close that there was no time to make a decision! The forces went into the trenches quickly and shot at the jeep. After a few seconds, we moved towards the Iraqi jeep. A high-ranking officer and his driver had been killed. But, their wireless operator had fallen to the ground injured. A bullet had hit his leg, and he was moaning constantly. One of our soldiers loaded his weapon and went towards the wireless operator. The young Iraqi was continuously saying, “Al-Aman! Al-Aman! (Give me safety! Give me safety!)” Ibrahim shouted involuntarily, “What do you want to do?!”He said, “Nothing. I want to make him comfortable.” Ibrahim responded, “My friend, as long as we were shooting he was our enemy; but, now that we have come to him he is our captive!” Then he went towards the wireless operator and picked him up from the ground. He put him on his shoulders and started out. We all looked at Ibrahim’s actions in surprise. One person said, “Mr. Ibram, do you know what are you doing?! We must walk thirteen kilometers along narrow paths from here to reach our positions.” Ibrahim turned around and said, “God has given me this strong body for such days!” Then he moved towards the mountain. We quickly picked up the provisions from inside the jeep and the wireless device of the Iraqis and moved out. At the foot of the mountain, we rested a little bit and dressed the injured Iraqi’s wounded foot. Then we continued on our way again. After seven hours of climbing the mountain, we got to the front line of the battle. On the way, Ibrahim talked to the Iraqi captive; and, he was thanking Ibrahim constantly. At the time for the Morning Prayer, we prayed in a group in a safe place. The Iraqi captive prayed the group prayer with us! That was when I found out that he was Shi’a too. After praying we ate a little food. Whatever we had we divided equally between everyone; even the Iraqi captive. The Iraqi captive who hadn’t expected such good behavior introduced himself and said, “I am Abu Ja’far. I am Shi’a and live in Karbala. I didn’t think that you are like this…” He talked a lot, but we only understood some of his words. It was still a little dark when we arrived at the Ban Siran Cave close to there and rested. Reza Gudini went towards our forces to bring help. After an hour Reza came back with equipment and forces to help. He called to everyone. I asked, “Reza what’s up?!” He said, “When I was coming back to the cave I was unexpectedly shocked! An armed person was sitting in front of the cave. First I thought he was one of you. But when I came forward, I saw with surprise that Abu Ja’far the Iraqi captive is holding a gun and guarding! As soon as I saw him, my face went pale. But Abu Ja’far said hello and gave me the gun.” Then he said in Arabic, “Your friends were sleeping. I became aware of an Iraqi patrol which was passing by here. So, I was careful that if they came forward, I would shoot them!” We went to Headquarters with the forces. We kept Abu Ja’far with us for a few days. Ibrahim went to the hospital due to the pressure which had been on him on the way. A few days later Ibrahim came back. Everyone was happy to see him. I called Ibrahim and said, “The forces from the Western Army have come to thank you!” He asked in surprise, “Why is that? What has happened?” I said, “When you come, you will understand!” We went to the Headquarters with Ibrahim. The person in charge started talking, “Abu Ja’far, the Iraqi captive whom you brought back with yourselves, was the wireless operator of the Fourth Iraqi Army Headquarters. The information which he gave us about the arrangement of their forces, their Brigade Headquarters, the Commanders, their ways of penetration, and … are very, very valuable.” Then he continued, “This captive has been talking for three days. All of his information is correct and true. He has been in this region from the first days of the war. He has even told us all the passageways of the Iraqis and all of their wireless passwords. That is why we have come to thank you, because of the important job that you have done.” Ibrahim smiled and said, “It is not us who are affective. This was God’s work.” The next day they sent Abu Ja’far to the camp for the prisoners of war. No matter how much Ibrahim tried for Abu Ja’far to be able to stay with us, it was useless. Abu Ja’far had said, “Please keep me here. I want to fight the Iraqis!” But it wasn’t permitted. After a while, I heard that a group of the Iraqi captives have come to the front under the name of “Tawwabin” (those who repent). They fought the Iraqis with the forces of the Badr Brigade. It was in the afternoon. One of the senior members of the group came to see me. He said happily, “I have interesting news for you. Abu Ja’far that Iraqi captive is working in the Badr Brigade Headquarters!” This operation was close to us. After the operation, we went to the Badr Brigade’s position with friends. We told ourselves, “We will find Abu Ja’far and add him to the forces of the group.” Before we entered the building of the Brigade, we saw a sight which was unbelievable. The pictures of the martyrs of the Brigade were hanging on the wall. The picture of Abu Ja’far could be seen among the martyrs of the latest operation of the Badr Brigade! My head was hot, and I had a strange feeling. I looked at his face in amazement. We didn’t enter the building after all. We came out of the Brigade Headquarters. All of the memories of that night were passing through my mind: attacking the enemy, the self-sacrifice of Ibrahim, the Iraqi wireless operator, the prisoners of war camp, the Badr Brigade, … and then martyrdom. Good for him!

[1] He was one of the founders of the Kermanshah Army. He was from the local Kurds. Wahhab had a university education and was knowledgeable about the Quran and the Nahj al-Balaghah. Many of the forces believed that Kermanshah not entering the Kurdistan disturbance was due to his management and courage. Wahhab received the reward for his efforts and joined his martyred friends.