ORDER OF BATTLE // February 11, 1986
First Battle of al-Faw
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
2 sides catalogued · combined 23,000–30,000 estimated
Iraq
1,000–5,000
Medium-confidence figure
Iran
22,000–25,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The First Battle of al-Faw was fought on the al-Faw peninsula between February and March 1986, resulting in Iranian forces capturing the al-Faw peninsula and cutting off Iraqi access to the Persian Gulf. The operation is considered one of Iran's greatest achievements in the Iran–Iraq War. The loss of the peninsula hardened Iraqi attitudes toward prosecuting the war, deepening the conflict rather than prompting any resolution. Iran held the peninsula until Iraqi forces recaptured it near the end of the war, making al-Faw a contested strategic prize across the final years of the conflict. The battle's outcome demonstrated that Iran, despite facing significant resource constraints, could execute operations capable of seizing and holding strategically significant coastal terrain against Iraqi defenses.
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