Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – June 22, 1988

After the morning prayer, I prepared a detailed note about the state of war and the fronts and ways to solve the problem, which we can give to the Imam if necessary. Mr. Colonel Turabi [Army Intelligence Protection Commander] came. The report of the defeat in Mehran said; There are many evidences about the weakness of the forces in the report.

Mr. Shamkhani [deputy commander of the IRGC] came and gave a report about the fall of Mehran. He claims that the IRGC's resistance was good and through the breaking of the army's defense line, the enemy reached the rear of the IRGC and attacked the camp of Amirul Momineen (AS). He requested to send an investigation committee.

I consulted with Mr. [Mohammed] Bagheri, the head of IRGC military intelligence, about the insider and enemy situation, as well as the composition of the headquarters. The working method of the General Staff was discussed with Mr. Shamkhani and others; We reached a better place.

Timsar Hosni Saadi [Army Ground Force Commander] came. He reported the defeat of Mehran and claimed that the IRGC line was broken first and from there they went behind the army lines. Just the opposite of Mr. Shamkhani's claim. We decided to send a group to investigate.

Mr. Mohsen Rezaei and some other commanders of the IRGC proposed to evacuate the Mautet in order to save forces in the defense lines and prevent possible casualties in the battles that we are sure to face in that area.

In the evening and at night, the commanders of Maut and Halabja regions came and by explaining the situation of forces and dangers in the two regions, they unanimously demanded the evacuation of Maut area to strengthen other lines and free the offending force and avoid a possible destruction and defeat in Maut. After consideration, I inevitably accepted with all the bitterness and possible ill effects. I consulted with Mr. [Mahmoud [Mohammadi Iraqi], Imam's deputy representative in the IRGC], about the General Staff and related issues.