The World : Iraq Tells of Major Attack

Iraq said its ground forces staged a lightning strike on Iranian lines, seizing enemy positions and killing hundreds of Iranian troops. The Iraqi military command issued a communique saying two army brigades took part in a two-phase attack on the Iranians east of the Iraqi city of Basra. The Iraqis, the communique said, advanced for “long distances, destroying enemy forces and occupying their positions.” It said 426 Iranians were killed, including two commanders. There was no immediate Iranian reaction to the report.