TEHRAN – The ruins of 46 martyrs from Iran’s eight years of sacred defense were taken back to the country on Sunday across the Sharanche border in Quezestan province, where a large crowd gathered to celebrate his return.
The selems ceremony was attended by local residents, military forces stationed in the area, and Sunni citizens paying tribute to the heroes who fell on behalf of the Iranian state.
Speaking at the ceremony, Brigadier General Mohammad Baqerzadeh, commander of the Moking in Action Search Committee, praised the sacrifice of the martial artists, saying, “I bring honor to the country, never succumbed to my enemy, and I will return to a more dignified home than ever before.”
The war began on September 22, 1980 with Baasisto Iraq’s invasion of Iran. The battle continued throughout the eight years of war, with major operations occurring between 1980 and 1982, and sporadic involvement continued until the August 1988 ceasefire.
Official figures say that between 200,000 and 300,000 Iranians were marching during the eight-year war imposed on Iran, including 10,196 civilians killed in air and missile attacks in Iranian cities. The most martyrs came from Isfahan province, Tehran and Holasan Razabi.