Operation Mersad revealed two types of leadership and commandOperation Mersad revealed a stark contrast between two fundamentally different models of leadership and command.
On one side stood Martyr Sayyad Shirazi, who, driven by a profound sense of duty and responsibility, flew to the heart of the crisis in Kermanshah in the middle of the night.
From the front lines, he personally conducted reconnaissance and directed helicopter operations.
On the other side, Massoud and Maryam Rajavi directed the offensive they called Forough-e Javidan from the safety of Iraqi territory, while sending hundreds of their followers into battle.This contrast reflects a criticism that Imam Khomeini had previously expressed regarding what he described as the Nifaq ("hypocritical") movement, arguing that its leaders exploited others while avoiding comparable risks themselves:
"How is it that those who constantly speak of 'the masses,' of courage, and of combativeness have slunk away to hide near their homes, while forcing children to go out and plant bombs?"
Sahifeh-ye Imam, Vol. 14, p. 525
Martyr Sayyad Shirazi also described the opening moments of Operation Mersad in his memoirs:
"It was the middle of the night on the 4th of Tir.
(summer during the imposed Iraqi war)..
I departed in a Bell 214 helicopter toward the operational area to conduct precise reconnaissance and coordinate the response.
From there, we launched the first operation against the invading forces and the hypocrites known as Munafiqin .
"Excerpted from the article "Operation Mersad: The Clash of Ignorance and Love" by Davoud Rezaei.