The Opening Week of the Eight-Year War between the Islamic Republic and Iraq, Shahrivar 31. On this date in 1980, Iraqi forces launched a large-scale attack on Iran’s western and southwestern borders, marking the beginning of an eight-year conflict between the two countries. The offensive included airstrikes on several Iranian cities and ground advances into border regions. During the first week of the war, thousands of Iranian and Iraqi civilians and military personnel were killed or wounded, and cities such as Khorramshahr and Abadan faced heavy attacks. The war, initiated by the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein, became one of the longest and most costly military conflicts in the region during the twentieth century. Over the eight years, millions of people from both sides were affected, with extensive damage to infrastructure, cities, and border villages. Estimates suggest that total casualties reached several hundred thousand, and millions were displaced. The commemoration of the opening week of this war was officially added to the Jalali calendar in the years following the conflict, due to its historical significance and the profound impact it had on Iranian society and the region, ensuring that this important event is remembered by future generations. According to Islamic Republic sources, this observance is registered and presented in the official calendar in this form and with these descriptions.
