Ali Sayyad Shirazi | |
|---|---|
 Shirazi in his uniform pictured during theIran–Iraq War | |
| Native name | علی صیاد شیرازی |
| Born | (1944-06-13)13 June 1944 |
| Died | 10 April 1999(1999-04-10) (aged 54) |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  Imperial State of Iran (1964–1979) Islamic Republic ofIran (1979–1999) |
| Branch | Iranian Army (1964–1989) General Staff (1989–1999) |
| Service years | 1964–1999 |
| Rank | Major General[1] Lieutenant general (posthumously)[dubious –discuss] |
| Commands | Ground Force |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | .svg) Order of Fath(two 1st Classes)[2] |
Ali Sayad Shirazi (Persian:علی صیاد شیرازی, 13 June 1944[3][4] – 10 April 1999) was an Iranian military officer. He was as key military commander of theIranian Ground Forces during theIran–Iraq War. Shirazi wasassassinated byMojahedin-e Khalq[5] in 1999 while serving as the deputy chief of theIranian Armed Forces General Staff.
Shirazi was born inDargaz,Kabud Gonbad Rural District, Iran on 13 June 1944. He was ofAfshar descent, and his ancestors were fromIsthabanat andNeyriz inFars province.[6] His grandfather, originally fromKhorasan, settled in Dargaz. Shortly after his birth, his family moved toMashhad, where they lived for 2 years and later moved to the region ofMazandaran, living in the cities ofGorgan,Amol andGonbad Kavous. He graduated from Amirkabir High School inTehran. His father being a non-commissioned officer in the Iranian military inspired and motivated him to join the Army and in 1964 he joined as acadet.[7]
Shirazi was commissioned as asecond lieutenant in theartillery and in 1974, he was sent to the United States for further military education. When he returned to Iran he showed opposition to the policies of the Pahlavi government and participated in some street demonstrations. He then joined the opposition movement against the Shah. During theIranian revolution, he served in the64th Infantry Division inUrmia, in northwestern Iran.[8] He was later awarded the rank of lieutenant general.[7]
During the Iran–Iraq War, Shirazi became one of the most important generals of Iran. In 1981, Iran's supreme leader,Ruhollah Khomeini, appointed him commander of theIranian Army. In 1982, he led theIranian Revolutionary Guards andBasij paramilitaries to victory inOperation Undeniable Victory. This was the first time Iran was able to defeat Iraq in a major battle, as Iranian forces broke through Iraq's "impenetrable" defense lines and expelled Iraqi forces from theDezful-Shush area. This operation is considered by many as the turning point in the war.
In 1986, he was named member of the Supreme Defense Council.[9] However, three weeks after this appointment Shirazi was relieved of his post as commander of the ground forces.[9]
In July 1988, thePeople's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) attempted to topple Khomeini's government by advancing its National Liberation Army inKermanshah. The IRP's counter offensive,Operation Mersad (led by Shirazi), defeated MEK forces.[7] He also led other successful military operations against Iraq, such as,Operation Zafar 7; andOperation Nasr-4. In 1989, Shirazi was awarded the highest military distinction in the Iranian armed forces, the Fath (Conquest) medal.[citation needed]
When the war concluded, Shirazi was not promoted to major general (unlike his counterparts), but was instead given various staff assignments.[10]
Ali Sayyad Shirazi (withMohsen Rezaee, andAli Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani) was seen as among "the most hawkish of Iran’s military and civilian leaders, and those who most clearly advocated for continuing the war into Iraq."[11]
In July 1986, Shirazi and Mohsen Rezaee, the commander of theIRGC at the time, clashed "violently" over what policy and military strategy should be adopted in the Iran–Iraq War.[9] When this rivalry became public, the supreme leader met them in his residence on 19 July 1986 and urged them to "seek unity", telling them "You must endeavor, not to think in terms of being members of the Armed Forces or those of the Guards Corps or of the Basij forces. ... We must understand that if there were to be any disputes among you ... not only are we doomed here and now, but we also are guilty before God." Both Shirazi and Rezaie were appointed to the Supreme Defense Council; however, within three weeks, Shirazi was dismissed from his position as commander of the ground forces, while Rezaie maintained his operational command responsibilities.[9]
On 10 April 1999, 6:45 local time, Shirazi was assassinated outside his house while on his way to work by an assailant from MEK. His assassin was disguised as a street sweeper.Ali Khamenei issued a message on Shirazi's martyrdom.[7] Iranian ex-PresidentKhatami described him as "a selfless commander of Islam and honorable son of Iran".[citation needed] A MEK spokesman said that Shirazi had been targeted because of "purging and executing military personnel and for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of child soldiers during the Iran–Iraq War, in which he commanded Iran's ground forces."[12]
Thousands of people attended his state funeral. Shirazi has had several streets, buildings and military complexes named after him, includinga subway station anda highway inTehran.[1]
Media related toAli Sayyad Shirazi at Wikimedia Commons
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces 1981–1986 | Succeeded by |
| New title | Vice Chief of the General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces for Inspection 1989–1999 | Vacant Title next held by Hedayat Lotfian |
| Preceded by | Deputy Chief of the General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces 1993–1999 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Supreme Leader's Representative atSupreme National Defence Council 1986–1989 With:Mohsen Rafighdoost | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
