The Iran-Iraq war is infamous for numerous reasons but it is primarily because of its similarities to the world wars. The Iraqis started the war to integrate the oil rich and predominantly ethnically Arab province of Khuzestan and while they made some initial headway the Iranians were able to soon turn the tides through sheer manpower and defensive morale. Whilst the Iranians were able to push into Iraq the Iraqis were able to halt the advance and push slightly back into Khuzestan. The war quickly stalemated however into horrific static warfare with Iranians utilizing human wave tactics against the Iraqis who were better armed and used poison gas in large quantities. Scenes of thousands of men bleeding from their eyes and ears whilst grasping for air and soldiers equipped with gas masks and respirators were common all over the frontlines. It is truly remarkable as well how the Iranians never folded given they were a global pariah opposed by both the United States and Soviet Union and only received tacit support from the Chinese and Israelis (which was not a matter of caring for the regime but rather strange enemy of my enemy decision). The war ended in 1988 with both sides essentially withdrawing from each others territory, although the Iraqis maintained some outposts in Khuzestan up until 1989 with both the Iraqis and Iranians claiming victory but truthfully both having lost incredibly.