Iraqi commandos, driven by initial success in the attack on Khorramshahr, had crossed the Karun River and reached the Abadan city limits on 22 September, but had been forced back by stiff resistance from Iranian paramilitary units, causing the Iraqis to withdraw to the western side of the Karun River, at the cost of several tanks and APCs. By 4 October Iraqi commanders reported that they had secured the main road from Abadan to Ahwaz, however it was not until late November that Iraq fully controlled the bridge to Abadan.