Major Iran offensive regains Iraqi-held land

Iran launched a major offensive in its 18-month war with Iraq, killing or wounding about 10,000 Iraqis and capturing 2,000, Teheran Radio said.

The radio said the offensive, launched shortly after midnight, won back a huge area of western Iran from Iraqi forces west of Shush and Dezful on the southern front. An Iraqi brigadier general and several majors and colonels were captured and a large quantity of arms and ammunition was also seized, the report said.

Iranian fighters shot down three Iraqi MiG fighters, a Mirage aircraft and two helicopters, it said.Iraq acknowledged the battle but said through its official news agency that the Iranians had suffered heavy losses.