A Review of the Geographical Factors’ Role in the Planning, Implementation and Results of Preliminary Valfajr Operation

Geographical factors have always played a decisive and vital role in the fate of a military operation. This issue has also been important in the planning and implementation of sacred defense operations. The preliminary Valfagr operation, that carried out on 1361/11/18 in the western sndy region of the Mishdagh heights, between Fakkeh and Chazzabeh, is one of these operations. This study tries to investigate the geographical factors affecting the planning, implementation and results of preliminary Valfajr operation by using descriptive-analytical method. Basically, it has tried to answer the main question: what role did geographical factors play in the planning, implementation and results of the preliminary Valfajr operation? The findings show that geographical factors also played a vital role in this operation. Among the natural geographical factors, "sand dunes" played the most important role in this operation. As a vegetation in operation, Amghar Forest has helped Islamic warriors in establishing field clinics, training camps and bases, equipping, organizing, directing and supporting the operating battalions in the southern axis. The natural geography of the area prevented the armor from being used properly for the operation. In addition to this natural barrier, artificial Iraqi man-made barriers have caused a key role in the failure of Islamic fighters in this operation.