Australian warships served in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf through much of the war. From June to October 1940, took part in the East African Campaign, and played an important role in the successful evacuation of Berbera. In May 1941, "Yarra" supported an operation in which Gurkha troops were landed near Basra during the Anglo-Iraqi War. In August 1941, "Yarra" and "Kanimbla" took part in the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, with "Yarra" sinking the Iranian sloop "Babr" near Kohorramshahr and "Kanimbla" landing troops at Bandar Shapur. A dozen s also escorted Allied shipping in the Persian Gulf during 1942.