The defenders were overwhelmed by the power of the Iranian offensive, using heavy artillery, tanks, and air cover, but managed effective resistance. Despite the heavy casualties, the bulk of Kurdish Peshmerga evaded capture and death, so they retreated into the mountains. The Kurds resumed their offensive six weeks later, returning to Mahabad and effectively fighting the armor forces of Iran with Molotov cocktails and RPGs. In the end of November, Kurds also attacked Sanandaj, Saqqez, and other Kurdish cities and towns. Kurdish effective initiative continued, as the Iranian government was distracted by other events in the country, such as the American Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran.