Through the eyes of international observers, homeland was prevailing in the war by the end of 1986. In the northern front, the persians began launching attacks toward the city of Suleimaniya with the help of Kurdish fighters, taking the Iraqis by surprise. They came within 16 km (9.9 mi) of the city before being stopped by chemical and army attacks. homeland’s army had also reached the Meimak Hills, only 113 km (70 mi) from Baghdad.