Iraq Monarchy Era (1932-58)

Musings On Iraq review Assyrians in Modern Iraq, Negotiating Political and Cultural Space

Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941

Musings On Iraq review Britain’s Informal Empire In The Middle East, A Case Study of Iraq 1929-1941

Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies

Musings On Iraq review Hawker Hunters At War, Iraq and Jordan, 1958-1967

Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq

Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq

Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958

Musings On Iraq review Industrialization Of Iraq, Harvard Middle Eastern Monographs, No. 5

Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad

Musings On Iraq review Iraq & the Kurdish Question, 1958-70

Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War

Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between Occupations, Perspectives from 1920 to the Present

Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny

Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958

Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Burdens, Oil, Sanctions and Underdevelopment

Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment

Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Last Jews, Stories of Daily Life, Upheaval, and Escape From Modern Babylon

Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus

Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Statesman, A portrait of Mohammed Fadhel Jamali

Musings On Iraq review The Iraqi Revolution Of 1958, The Old Social Classes Revisited

Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Women, Untold Stories from 1948 to the Present

Musings On Iraq review Killing Hope, U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II

Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970

Musings On Iraq review The Making of Iraq 1900-1963, Capital, Power and Ideology

Musings On Iraq review My Memoirs, Half a Century of the History of Iraq and the Arab Cause

Musings On Iraq review New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq

Musings On Iraq review Oil and Democracy in Iraq

Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq

Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004

Musings On Iraq review Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq

Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The Nationalist Movement in Iraq 1939-1941

Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam

Musings On Iraq review Relations Of The People to The Land In Southern Iraq

Musings On Iraq review The Role Of Government In The Industrialization Of Iraq 1950-1965

Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941

Musings On Iraq review Ropes of Sand, America’s Failure in the Middle East

Musings On Iraq review The Shi’is Of Iraq

Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq

Musings On Iraq review Three Kings In Baghdad, The Tragedy Of Iraq’s Monarchy

Musings On Iraq review Understanding Iraq, the Whole Sweep of Iraqi History, from Genghis Khan’s Mongols to the Ottoman Turks to the British Mandate to the American Occupation

Musings On Iraq review When Parliaments Ruled the Middle East, Iraq and Syria, 1946-63

Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970

Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki

Musings On Iraq interview with Western Kentucky’s Prof Romero on the Qasim govt

 

1932

Oct 3 Iraq gained independence from Britain

(Musings On Iraq review Britain In Iraq, Contriving King and Country)

(Musings On Iraq review Britain’s Informal Empire In The Middle East, A Case Study of Iraq 1929-1941)

 

Oct 27 King Faisal asked PM Said to resign Faisal wanted a national unity govt that would include

opposition and carry out reforms

 

Nov 3 King Faisal asked Naj Shawkat an independent to be PM Wanted national unity govt and

reforms Fmr PM Said asked Shawkat to maintain parliament which was full of his followers PM Shawkat said no

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Nov 8 PM Shawkat dissolved parliament which was full of ex-PM Said followers

 

Dec 2 King Faisal gave speech praised his rule in Syria and said if he was still king

            there Syria would be independent like Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Dec 12 Shiite leaders told Yasin Hashemi they would back him for PM if they got majority of

cabinet posts

 

Dec 15 League of Nations Mandate Comm rejected Assyrian petition for autonomy Said

            Iraqi govt would settle Assyrians within country or outside of it

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

1933

Mar 13 UK Amb to Iraq told King Faisal that trying to control opposition by including it in

govt only created dysfunctional govts and opposition were opposed to Iraq’s alliance with England and should be excluded

 

Mar 16 Opposition National Brotherhood Party with backing of King Faisal attacked cabinet’s

program for lack of reforms King Faisal had just read cabinet program few days before showing he was trying to manipulate cabinet

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Mar 18 British official warned King Faisal was attempting to make himself dictator of Iraq

Mar 18 PM Shawkat resigned over King Faisal trying to manipulate his cabinet

 

Mar 20 Rashid al-Gaylani became PM 1st of 3 times Included opposition Ikha Party who got Yasin

al-Hashemi as Finance Min and Hikmat Sulaiman as Interior Min

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Mar 22 UK Amb to Iraq said that parliament full of politicians who never meant what they

            said Institution was a sham

 

Mar 27 New parliament met PM Gaylani presented program to reform every part of govt Impossible

to accomplish

 

May 28 Interior Ministry had Assyrian leader Mar Shimun come to Baghdad to discuss

differences with govt over settling community in north Interior said it was willing to acknowledge Mar Shimun as spiritual leader but would not give him any political power Said British officer arriving to help settle community Mar Shimun said he would help with settlement Pledged loyalty to King Faisal

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

May 31 Assyrian leader Mar Shimun wrote letter to King Faisal Said Interior Minister told him

            how the govt disliked him

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jun 10 Nuri al-Said ally Abd al-Razzaq al-Hassan published pamphlet claiming Shiites were more

Persian and therefore doubted they could support Arab nationalism Led to protests and then armed revolts in Najaf Karbala and other southern cities 3 provinces became ungovernable

(Musings On Iraq review The Shi’is Of Iraq)

 

Jun 20 King Faisal went for 1st state visit to England

 

Jun 24 Interior Minister would not let Assyrian leader Mar Shimun leave Baghdad after being in

            capital for nearly a month

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jun 25 Iraqi army sent to Dohuk in show of force against armed followers of Assyrian leader Mar

            Shimun

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 20 Mosul province told many Assyrians had left for Syria from Dohuk area

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 21 800 Assyrians left Mosul province for Syria asking for asylum from French because didn't

want to be part of Iraq Assyrian leader Mar Shimun denied he was involved Iraqi army sent to border crossing and told Assyrians they could only return to Iraq if they disarmed

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 23 Iraq asked France to impose treaty between two to remove Assyrians from Syrian border and

disarm them

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 26 Iraq-French meeting Iraq told new border meant Assyrians who tried to get into Syria

            were actually still in Iraq French didn't want them in Syria

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 27 French forbid anymore Assyrians entering Syria

Jul 27 Iraq asked French to impose treaty between two to remove Assyrians from Iraq-Syrian border

and disarm them for 2nd time

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 29 Assyrian leader Mar Shimun wrote letter to Interior Minister saying he was being detained

He would help settle Assyrians but if govt did nothing he would go to League of Nations and advocate for Assyrians to leave Iraq Letter sent to ambassadors in Iraq embarrassing govt

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Jul 30 Report French disarmed many Assyrians who had tried to get into Syria

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 2 Iraqis met with French again Told Assyrians couldn’t stay in Syria Assyrians had

been disarmed voluntarily Only 415 had gone to Syria Were another 350 on border on Iraqi side Iraqis asked whether Assyrians would be given back weapons when returned but French said nothing

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

Aug 2 King Faisal returned to Iraq from UK to find daily protests calling for the elimination

            of Assyrians

 

Aug 4 French deported Assyrians who had fled to Syria Iraqi troops sent to meet Assyrians and

disarm them Assyrians attacked army camp upon return to Iraq believing army was going to kill them 33 soldiers killed 40 wounded Over 500 Assyrians crossed back into Syria and were arrested by French Assyrians caught on Iraqi side were executed by army

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 6 Assyrians captured by Kurds trying to return from Syria turned over to army and

executed Gen Sidqi said retaliation for Assyrian attack on army camp Rumors spread that Assyrians blown up bridges and poisoned water

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 8 Iraqi army began executing Assyrian males captured in Bekher Mountains and looting

their villages Mayor of Zakho began disarming Assyrians in town Kurds joined in looting in Zakho Head of Zakho went to Sumail and told Assyrians to disarm even though not in his district

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Aug 9 Shammar and Jabour tribes attacked 60 Assyrian villages south of Dohuk

            Captured males given to Iraqi army who executed them

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 10 Kurds and Arabs looted Assyrian towns south of Dohuk Stole harvest from Sumail 

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 11 Interior Min Suleiman arrived in Mosul on news of Assyrian massacres Had

planes drop flyers telling Assyrians nothing would happen to them if they gave up to authorities

Aug 11 Assyrians in Zakho and Sumail were attacked by Iraqi army led by Gen Sidqi Fired

on village then divided women and children from men and executed the latter Found some men hiding amongst women and killed everyone Local Kurds looted Sumail after massacre Police later called back army to kill stragglers that had returned to Sumail 315 killed Iraqi govt considered Assyrians foreigners and tools of British imperialism for their service in the British Levies

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

Aug 11 Arab Kurd Yazidi tribes looted Assyrian villages in Alqosh

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 12 Soldiers buried 315 Assyrians killed in Sumail raped women survivors they found

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Aug 14 Interior Min Suleiman went to Dohuk and Amadiya to try to stop killing of

            Assyrians

Aug 14 3 days of looting of Assyrian villages in Alqosh by Kurd Arab and Yazidi tribes ended

Aug 14 Arabs attacked 2 Chaldean Christian villages near Assyrian ones in Alqosh

(Musings On Iraq review Christianity in Iraq)

 

Aug 15 King Faisal ordered Interior Min Suleiman to investigate massacre of Assyrians

            in Sumail

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Aug 17 Surviving Assyrian women and children from Sumail sent to Dohuk and then

            Mosul

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Aug 18 Iraqi army held victory parade and given award by Prince Ghazi for massacring

            Assyrians in north Total 60 villages looted and destroyed Around 600 killed

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Aug 27 Iraqi govt sent letter to British newspaper claiming only a few Assyrian villages had

been emptied of people Baghdad had returned all stolen goods No truth to reports villages had been burned Was propaganda effort to cover up massacre of 600 Assyrians and 60 villages having been looted and destroyed

(Musings On Iraq review of The Tragedy of the Assyrian Minority in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review State and Society in Iraq)

 

Sep 2 King Faisal left Iraq for his health Would die in a week

 

Sep 8 King Faisal I died of heart attack in Switzerland King Ghazi sworn in as new king

 

Sep 9 PM Gaylani resigned new King Ghazi asked him to form new cabinet Ministers thought Ghazi

young and inexperienced and they could run country Led to rivalries between them

Sep 9 King Ghazi assured UK Amb Humphrys that he would follow his father’s policy of friendly

relations with UK

 

Sep 10 PM Gaylani interviewed by Times of London Said he wanted good relations with UK Was

criticized by his ministers from Ikha and Watani parties

 

Sep 11 Watani Party declaration Called PM Gaylani reactionary who hurt Iraq Said he opposed UK

Then said wanted good relations Led Gaylani to call for dissolution of parliament King Ghazi said no

 

Oct 28 PM Gaylani resigned to maintain unity of Patriotic Brotherhood Party which was split by

personal rivalries between ministers vying for power Gaylani also wanted parliament dissolved King Ghazi said no

 

Nov 9 Jamil al-Midfai became PM 1st of 5 times

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Dec 14 PM Midfai said he didn’t need support of any parties because parliament backed him Govt

quickly split between Foreign Min Said and Public Works Min Haidar vs Interior Min Shawkat and Finance Min Farisi

 

1934

Feb 10 Disagreements between ministers led PM Midfai to resign King Ghazi tried to reconcile

cabinet but failed

 

Feb 19 King Ghazi accepted PM Midfai’s resignation after disagreements within cabinet made

continuation of govt impossible

 

Feb 21 PM Midfai announced new cabinet and govt Was weak and couldn’t do much

 

Mar 31 Iraqi Communist Party founded

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Aug 25 PM Midfai resigned again after King Ghazi lost confidence in him  

 

Aug 27 Ali Jawadat chief of staff of the royal cabinet became PM upon request of King

Ghazi Would hold office 3 times

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Sep 5 Foreign Minister Nuri al-Said asked for his brother in law Jafaar al-Askari to be appointed

chief of staff of royal court Was attempt to limit power of King Ghazi Was opposed by Ghazi and Baghdad notables

 

Sep 8 Reformist Al-Ahali group distributed flyers in Baghdad criticizing govt for not relieving the

poor conditions in Iraq because King Ghazi not involved in country’s affairs

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Sep 15 PM Jawadat called for new elections Hoped to pack parliament with his followers

who were loyal to King Ghazi by fixing vote Parliament criticized for being overly Sunni

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Oct 28 King Ghazi addressed Iraq Said he would hear people’s complaints and requests each week

 

Nov 29 Border dispute between Iraq and Persia escalated

 

Dec 7 Rashid Ali al-Gaylani Hikmat Sulaiman met with sheikhs Pledged to start revolt and

overthrow PM Jawadat

 

Dec 29 Yasin al-Hashemi Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani of Ikha criticized PM Jawadat for elections

he held because excluded them Senate criticized vote PM started being called a tyrant

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

1935

Jan 8 Persia told League of Nations that treaties between Ottomans and Persian didn’t apply

anymore so Iraq had no right to Shatt al-Arab

 

Jan 9 Sheikh Wahid and others asked leading cleric Sheikh Ghita to call meeting of tribes in Najaf

to talk about reforms in Mid Euphrates Wahid just wanted revolt vs PM Jawadat for excluding him from parliament

 

Jan 11 Leading Shiite cleric Ghita called tribal conference in Najaf Said would only push reforms

after PM Jawadat removed Was only goal of Sheikh Wahid who led revolt Angry at PM for keeping him out of parliament

 

Jan 14 Mid-Euphrates sheikhs gave petition to King Ghazi protesting lack of Shiite representation

in govt King did nothing Was actually just excuse for Sheikh Wahid to start revolt vs PM Jawadat who excluded him from parliament

(Musings On Iraq review The Shi’is Of Iraq)

 

Jan 15 Persia presented its case over border dispute to League of Nations Rejected

Iraq’s control of Shatt al-Arab and questioned standing of 1847 Treaty of Arzurum

 

Feb 23 PM Jawadat resigned over Mid Euphrates tribe revolt started by his rivals Yasin al-

Hashemi Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani of Ikha and Sheikh Wahid who was excluded from parliament

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Mar 4 Jamil al-Midfai became PM 2nd out of 5 times Was considered aligned with King Ghazi

and fmr PM Jawadat Ikha Party kept up support for Mid-Euphrates tribal revolt that spread to Diyala

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Mar 8 Anti-Imperialist Association founded as front for Communist Party Attacked the English and

Iraqi elite for exploiting Iraq and the workers

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq A History Of The Iraqi Communist Party Interview With Univ of East Anglia’s Johan Franzen)

 

Mar 9 Al-Fitla tribe rose up against PM Midfai Was organized by Rashid Ali al-Gaylani and Hikmat

Sulaiman of the Patriotic Brotherhood Paryt/Ikha

 

Mar 12 PM Midfai govt decided to put down tribal revolt with force and sent recommendation to

King Ghazi who did not support it King pushed for talks to end revolt

 

Mar 13 PM Midfai sent army unit from Hilla to Diwaniya to crush tribal uprising Head of army

Hashemi said army too weak to deal with uprising Revolt instigated by politicians opposed to Midfai

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Mar 16 PM Midfai resigned over opposition of Ikha party and tribal revolt in Diwaniya King Ghazi

asked Yasin al-Hashemi of Ikha to form new govt for 2nd time Hashemi plotted to bring down Midfai by organizing revolt

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Mar 17 Yasin al-Hashemi became PM 2nd time Called in sheikhs from Diwaniya and negotiated end

of revolt which he helped organize Was feared that Hashemi wanted to become dictator of Iraq and make King Ghazi figurehead Rashid Ali al-Gaylani and Hikmat Sulaiman both wanted to be Interior Min Hashemi offered Sulaiman Finance Min which he refused and began plotting to overthrow PM Hashemi

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Mar 21 UK report Baghdad afraid to deploy army because didn’t trust it especially because

            much of the rank and file were Shiites

 

Mar 23 Cleric Ghita met with Baghdad lawyers and issued manifesto demanding more Shiite

representation in govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Shi’is Of Iraq)

 

Apr 9 Parliament dissolved so that PM Hashemi could carry out reforms Political parties also

dissolved

 

Apr 20 Duweilim tribe fired on train in Rumaitha Demanded govt end confiscation of land

            and exempt tribes from conscription Govt refused and Iraqi air force bombed tribe

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

 

May 2 Police attacked tribal revolt in Rumaitha Air force bombed area

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

May 2 Faisal II future king of Iraq born

 

May 5 Iraqi army and air force attacked tribal revolt in Rumaitha

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

 

May 6 Govt arrested cleric Asadallah follower of Ayatollah Ghita who had been

demanding concessions from govt Led to revolt by Abu Hassan, Bani Zurayij and Zawalim tribes against monarchy

 

May 7 Sheikh Ahmad Asadullah follower of leading Shiite cleric Ghita called

for his followers in Rumaitha to revolt against govt 3 other tribes revolted in Diwaniya

 

May 9 Iraqi air force dropped flyers telling tribes to end revolt in Diwaniya or govt

would punish them Tribes refused Govt started bombing area Martial law declared Rumaitha Gen Sidqi put in command of putting down revolt

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

 

May 11 Iraq air force bombed rebel villages in Diwaniya held by Abu Hassan Bani

            Zurayij and Zawalim tribes

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

 

May 13 Muntafiq tribe joined revolt against monarchy

 

May 14 Iraqi army and air force began campaign to bomb tribal areas Destroyed towns

            and burned crops to put down tribal revolt in Rumaitha

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

 

May 15 Tribes seized Suq al-Shuyukh and cut railway between Basra and Nasiriya

            during revolt against govt

 

May 16 Gen Sidqi put down Rumaitha tribal revolt

 

May 21 Muntafiq tribal revolt put down by Gen Sidqi Ended talks with cleric Ghita about more

Shiite representation in govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Shi’is Of Iraq)

 

Jun 1 Gen Sidqi put down tribal revolt in Suq al-Shuyukh

 

Jun 5 Govt launched final offensive on Duweilim tribe in Rumaitha and ended revolt Tribe

            suffered around 300 casualties

 

Jun 12 National Service Bill signed by King Ghazi starting conscription for army King

hoped conscription would help with nation building by creating army drawn from all parts of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Jun 19 UK Ambassador to Iraq said King Ghazi was a playboy who was completely

            absorbed by his hobbies and neglected his country

 

Aug 4 Parliamentary elections finished Parliament expanded from 88 to 108 seats Used as

patronage by leading politicians Sheikhs given more seats along with some Baghdad editors

 

Aug 15 Senator and ex-PM Midfai accused Rashid Ali al-Gaylani of starting southern tribal revolt

that brought down his govt He did PM Hashemi accused Midfai of starting revolts against his govt

 

Aug 29 Parliament passed law allowing dismissal of govt workers for inefficiency and lacking

integrity Hashemi govt used it to dismiss opponents from ministries

 

Nov 28 UK Foreign Office rejected King Faisal mediate Palestine dispute believing he

            had aspirations over territory

 

1936

Jan 14 Iraq told League of Nations that 1847 Treaty of Erzerum gave Ottomans sovereignty over

Shatt al-Arab and that right passed to Iraq

 

Jan 20 Treaty of Arab Brotherhood and Alliance signed between Iraq and Saudi Arabia Agreed to

settle disputes

 

Feb 15 Def Ministry complained that UK War Office ignored arms purchases and

            deliveries and that was undermining Iraqi army

 

Apr 19 Palestinian general strike began Nuri al-Said offered to mediate between Palestinians Jews

and UK Believed he could make a grand deal to solve Palestinian issue Believed Palestine could then be convinced to join Arab federation with Iraq under Hashemite monarchy 

 

Apr 21 Tribal revolt in Rumaitha

 

May 6 Govt arrested follower of cleric Ghita for inciting Rumaitha tribes against govt Led to Abu

Hasasn Bani Zurayij Zawalm tribes to revolt

 

May 10 Opposition leaders Hikmat al-Sulaiman Abu al-Timman Jamil al-Midfai Tawfiq Suwaidi

petitioned King Ghazi Complained PM Hashemi cracked down upon them

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

May 11 Govt declared martial law and bombed villages in Diwaniya during tribal revolt

(Musings On Iraq review Wings of Iraq, Volume 1: The Iraqi Air Force, 1931-1970)

 

May 13 Muntafiq tribes in Nasiriya and Suq al-Shuyukh joined tribal revolt in Diwaniya Demanded

more Shiite representation in govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Shi’is Of Iraq)

 

May 24 Opposition gave 2nd petition to King Ghazi Complained that PM Hashemi repressing their

parties

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Jun 5 Foreign Min Said went to London Met with President of World Zionist Org Dr Weizmann

Suggested temporary suspension of Jewish immigration to Palestine to allow ceasefire

 

Aug 12 PM Hashemi closed Sawt al-Ahali paper run by Hikmat Sulaiman and Jafaar Abu al-Timman

Rallied opposition against PM Petitioned King Ghazi to allow press freedom

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Aug 29 PM Hashemi speech in Basra Said he wanted to stay in power for another 10 yrs to carry

out his program Many thought he wanted to be dictator Led Hikmat Sulaiman to open talks with Gen Sidqi and other army officers to carry out coup

 

Sep 19 British officials met with Nuri al-Said in Paris for two days Wanted to ask him to

help mediate Palestine dispute Turned out he just wanted to promote Iraq and his pan-Arab agenda

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

 

Oct 25 Gen Sidqi met with Gen Abd al-Latif chief of staff Talked about coup vs PM Hashemi

 

Oct 27 PM Hashemi contacted head of Dulaim and Banu Tamim tribes along with Kurds to back his

plan to declare a republic and depose King Ghazi

Oct 27 Gen Sidqi and Gen Latif chief of staff of military wrote letter asking PM Hashemi to resign

 

Oct 28 Chief of staff Gen Latif gave letter from him and Gen Sidqi asking PM Hashemi to resign to

Hikmat Sulaiman to pass along to King Ghazi

 

Oct 29 Planes dropped flyers over Baghdad demanding PM Hashemi’s resignation as troops

marched on capital in coup led by Hikmat Sulaiman and Gen Sidqi Hashemi asked for King Ghazi’s support Sulaiman had been shut out of Hashemi’s govt and Sidqi thought he wouldn’t be promoted When didn't get it offered his resignation Parliament building bombed in coup Def Min Askari was assassinated by Gen Bakr Sidqi for opposing coup Nuri al-Said Yasin Hashemi Rashid Ali al-Gaylani all fled Iraq fearing assassination Opposition Al-Ahali backed coup 1st coup in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

Oct 29 UK Amb Kerr went to Palace Asked King Ghazi if against coup Said he was neutral King

called PM Hashemi Told him coup should not be resisted Led to Hashemi to resign

Oct 29 Hikmat Sulaiman became PM leading to 1st govt with pan-Arabists

out of power Sulaiman was hoping that new govt would lead to liberal reforms but General Sidqi wanted to maintain status quo General won and most of Sulaiman’s followers left govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Oct 30 Sulaiman govt banished former PM Hashemi, Rashid al-Gaylani, Jamil Midfai

            and Nuri al-Said

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

 

Nov 1 PM Sulaiman gave his first public speech promising wide reforms after 1936 coup

 

Nov 3 March in Baghdad to support new PM Sulaiman govt and coup

 

Nov 5 Finance Min al-Timman from al-Ahali promised end to dictatorship and suppressing

freedoms and social and political reforms after 1936 coup Didn’t mention Arab nationalism and attacked for it

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Nov 15 4 reformist ministers in PM Sulaiman’s cabinet called for nationalization of certain

industries and land reform

 

Nov 29 PM Sulaiman named new cabinet 1922-58 were 59 cabinets

 

Dec 9 PM Sulaiman govt issued program which included widespread reforms and expansion of

armed forces

 

Dec 10 Elections started for new parliament after 1936 coup Gen Sidqi wanted to control MPs and

exclude reformist Ahali who were part of govt Sidqi followers won 30 seats Ahali only 12

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

1937

Jan 9 Reformers at Abu al-Timman’s house in Baghdad Decided to ask govt for permission to

form political party Didn’t get permission

 

Jan 31 Jewish Agency sent 2 emissaries to Iraq Met with leading officials who criticized pan-

Arabism

 

Feb 20 Elections finished for new parliament after 1936 coup

 

Feb 27 New parliament took office Only 1/3 of MPs returned to office 2/3 had never been in

parliament before 30 MPs were Gen Sidqi supporters Only 13 MPs were reformers leading to anger by al-Ahali group Senate appointed and the same as last govt

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

Feb 27 King Ghazi gave speech to new parliament promising reforms

 

Mar 6 Parliament created investigation into incomes of former members of PM Hashemi’s govt

Nothing happened

 

Mar 17 Gen Sidqi speech Said Communism would fail in Iraq Was attack upon liberal Ahali and

reformers who were part of govt Said they wanted to dissolve Iraqi society and politics

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Jun 6 3 al-Ahali ministers and another minister resigned Criticized PM Sulaiman govt for

            not carrying out reforms secrecy nepotism Allowed PM Sulaiman to break with al-Ahali

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Jun 19 Pan-Arab officers withdrew support for head of army Gen Sidqi 4 reformer

ministers resigned Weakened Sulaiman’s govt Only 3 ministers left Sulaiman replaced reformers with Arab nationalist Istiqlal members Sulaiman became completely dependent upon Sidqi to stay in power

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

 

Jul 4 Iraq-Iran Frontier Treaty signed attempting to resolve border dispute Accepted demarcation

process that was done by Ottomans and Persians pre-WWI Set up commission to finish border and created a body to work out navigation of Shatt al-Arab most of which was given to Iraq Political instability in Baghdad and outbreak of WW2 meant treaty never implemented Treaty angered pan-Arabists and led to 1938 coup by Golden Square officers

(Musings On Iraq review The Creation of Iraq 1914-1921)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Jul 8 Sadabad Pact between Iraq Iran Turkey Afghanistan agreed to borders non-interference

regional security PM Sulaiman hoped treaty would assure good relations with Iran and Turkey

 

Jul 11 PM Sulaiman interviewed in Iraqi paper Said he opposed Zionism and partition of Palestine

Demanded end of Jewish immigration

 

Jul 12 Association for Popular Reforms outlawed Leading Communists arrested and expelled or

fled Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq A History Of The Iraqi Communist Party Interview With Univ of East Anglia’s Johan Franzen)

 

Jul 18 Treaty of Tehran Kept 1913 Constantinople Protocol that gave Shatt al-Arab to Iraq Added

that border between Iran and Iraq ran along the thalweg in the Shatt al-Arab

 

Aug 11 Army Chief of Staff Gen Sidqi leader of 1933 Assyrian massacre and head of

1936 coup assassinated in Mosul by pan-Arab rivals in military PM Sulaiman ordered Mosul garrison cmdr Gen Umari to arrest officers responsible but he refused

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

 

Aug 13 Gen Umari got support of military commanders in Kirkuk and Baghdad and issued

demands to PM Sulaiman included banishing officers from 1936 coup return of exiles removal of Gen Sidqi’s friends military court to investigate Sidqi assassination banned soldiers from politics

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

 

Aug 14 PM Sulaiman called for officers responsible for Gen Sidqi’s assassination to be put on trial

Pan-Arab officers threatened revolt in Mosul if happened

Aug 14 Pan-Arab officers contacted cmdrs in Diwaniya Kirkuk Sulaymaniya to block any moves if

Mosul revolt started vs PM Sulaiman Gen Sidqi’s followers wanted war Baghdad command split which meant end of PM Sulaiman

 

Aug 17 PM Sulaiman resigned over threat of military revolt by Mosul Garrison cmdr Gen Umari

Pan-Arab officers thought govt had too many Kurds and Turks and not anti-imperialist Gave rise to Circle of Seven officers that dominated Iraqi politics until WWII

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

Aug 17 Jamil al-Midfai became PM for 3rd of 5 times in deal with pan-Arab officers Gen Fawzi

became army chief of staff Promised to follow pan-Arabism support Arab nationalist officers End talks with Persia over Shatt al-Arab Midfai named Col Najib Defense Minister which angered pan-Arab officers Najib promoted Iraqi nationalist officers Midfai wanted to exonerate deposed Sulaiman govt Nuri al-Said wanted them punished Began plotting with army against Midfai Gave rise to Circle of Seven officers that dominated Iraqi politics until WWII

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

 

Oct 25 Nuri al-Said’s son told him to return from exile in Egypt after made contact with pan-Arab

Circle of Seven officers

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Dec 12 PM Midfai carried out Sedition Law against opposition Sent opposition figures into rural

areas away from Baghdad and placed under police surveillance

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

1938

 

May 1 Iraqi constitution Article 89a criminalized communism

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Sep 7 Iraq wrote UK saying Iran was threatening Shatt al-Arab waterway Iraq wanted outlet to sea

via Kuwait UK said Iran not threat because ally and Kuwait wouldn’t allow canal through its territory

(Musings On Iraq review Unholy Babylon, The Secret History of Saddam’s War)

 

Oct 30 PM Midfai made Col Najib Defense Min Opposed Circle of 7 pan-Arab officers Cut power

of general staff Retired pan-Arab officers Led to 1938 coup

 

Dec 12 PM Midfai’s cabinet used Seditious Propaganda Law to exile fmr PM Gaylani and his

followers to far off parts of Iraq Were setting off bombs in Baghdad to oppose govt

 

Dec 24 Rumor that leading pan-Arab officers would be retired Circle of 7 officers met and decided to

overthrow PM Midfai 7 told PM he had to resign Agreed not wanting bloodshed & backed by Nuri al-Said Taha al-Hashemi Rashid al-Gaylani

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Dec 25 PM Midfai resigned to King Ghazi after overthrown by pan-Arab Circle of 7 officers King

wanted to oppose coup but Midfai talked him out of it King asked Nuri al-Said to be PM Solidified his position as top politicians until 1958 coup 2nd of 9 times he was PM Moved to punish Sulaiman for killing his brother in law Jaafar al-Askari in 1936 coup

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

1939

Jan 4 PM Said turned to pan-Arab Muthanna Club to push his govt program Said said he would

promote democracy freedom of press electoral reform allow opposition He did none of that

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Feb 7 PM Said headed Iraqi delegation to London Conference on Palestine Believed Iraq could end

Palestinian issue Won support from pan-Arab officers

 

Feb 19 King Ghazi summoned army chief of staff Fawzi and ordered invasion of Kuwait PM Said

reversed order

(Musings On Iraq review Unholy Babylon, The Secret History of Saddam’s War)

 

Feb 22 Royal decreee dismissed parliament Bickering too much PM Said wanted new one full of his

supporters

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Mar 1 PM Said claimed coup attempt to remove King Ghazi by fmr PM Sulaiman and

Gen Sidqi followers in army Many didn’t believe there was any coup Said just getting revenge on his political enemies

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

Mar 1 King Ghazi letter to pan-Arab Circle of Seven leader Col Sabbagh Said officers were loyal

and champions of pan-Arabism and he wanted to join them Part of Ghazi’s pro-military stance

 

Mar 5 British called in aide to King Ghazi and told him to stop attacks upon UK in his radio

addresses

 

Mar 18 Ex-PM Sulaiman and others given death penalty for coup plot Was revenge by PM Said

Sulaiman released due to poor health 

 

Mar 30 King Ghazi gave pan-Arab speech saying he was interested in Arab brothers in Syria

            Palestine Kuwait

(Musings On Iraq review Imagining The Nation, Nationalism, Sectarianism and Socio-Political Conflict in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Unholy Babylon, The Secret History of Saddam’s War)

Mar 30 PM Said said Iraq’s foreign policy based upon alliance with Arab states and ties with UK Said

1 of strongest proponents of aligning Iraq with UK

 

Apr 3 King Ghazi died in car accident King Faisal II took power but was only 3 His cousin Abd

al-Ilah chosen to rule in his place

Apr 3 Ger Amb to Iraq Grobba spread rumors that England behind Ghazi’s death Led to

            riot in Mosul that sacked British consulate and killed consular

 

Apr 4 King Ghazi’s death publicly announced PM Said resigned Queen Aliya and Princess Ragiha

issued statement that it was Ghazi’s dying wish that his brother in law Ilah be made regent

Apr 4 Mob in Mosul attacked UK consulate claiming they were behind King Ghazi’s death

 

Apr 5 King Faisal II made king Ilah made Regent Asked Nuri al-Said to become PM again for 3rd

time

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Apr 6 Nuri al-Said became PM 3rd of 9 times 

 

Apr 29 PM Said speech Accused ex-PM Sulaiman of being in Turkish Union and Progress Party

Said he tried to destroy Iraq as revenge for fall of Ottomans

 

May 23 After British White Paper on Palestine passed PM Said tried but failed to convince the

Mufti of Jerusalem to support it

 

Jun 12 Regent Ilah gave speech supporting British White Paper on Palestine Was part of his pro-

British policy

 

Sep 1 Germany invaded Poland PM Said wanted Iraq to declare war on Axis Pan-Arab Golden

Square officers wanted to get concessions from UK on Syria and Palestine 1st

(Musings On Iraq review Britain’s Informal Empire In The Middle East, A Case Study of Iraq 1929-1941)

Sep 1 PM Said said that all Iraqi railways rivers ports and airfields could be used by British under

Anglo-Iraq Treaty after German invasion of Poland

 

Sep 2 British asked Iraq to break ties with Germany Intern all Germans Provide aid if needed

 

Sep 3 PM Said advocated declaring war on Germany after British did Interior Min announced it

would censor all news due to outbreak of WWII

 

Sep 5 PM Said broke relations with Germany as WWII started Didn’t consult with Circle of Seven

officers that wanted concessions from British first Also arrested all Germans in Iraq and deported them to India

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Sep 6 Said govt told UK it would declare war on Germany for concessions such as not having to

send troops for war financial aid move towards independence for Palestine and Syria UK refused

(Musings On Iraq review Britain’s Informal Empire In The Middle East, A Case Study of Iraq 1929-1941)

 

Sep 9 Mufti of Jerusalem who was living in Baghdad sent proposal to Italy Said in return

for Italian support for Arab nationalism and aid in Palestine Iraq would give it and Germany access to its oil block England from sending troops through Iraqi territory and secret treaty with Baghdad Proposal was first sent to Germans Italians had given to Mufti before with few results so had no confidence in him Germans were willing to give money and weapons to him if Italy agreed It did

 

Sep 12 PM Said ordered state of emergency with start of WWII Started censorship curfews rationing

 

Sep 13 PM Said issued decrees giving govt control of trade and economy

 

Oct 16 Mufti of Jerusalem arrived in Baghdad Became leader of Arab nationalists Got govt stipend

 

Oct 18 German ambassador to Turkey told Iraq’s Finance Minister Shawkat Germany

supported Arabs but gave no specific promises or support

 

1940

Feb 13 PM Said proposed to High Defense Council declaring war on Germany Send 2 Iraqi

divisions to Libya or Balkans Was rejected

 

Feb 18 PM Said resigned over growing problems with pan-Arabist Circle of Seven officers

Said wanted Gaylani to become PM and he would become Foreign Minister to maintain pro-British policies Circle of Seven officers objected to idea because didn’t want Said and Gen Taha Hashemi included Went to Regent calling for their exclusion from new govt Regent disagreed and had Gen Umari Mosul garrison commander retire as a result

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Feb 20 Gen Umari Mosul garrison commander attempted coup rather than be forced

            to resign by Regent Put down by Circle of Seven officers Gave them control of PM Said govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Feb 21 Circle of Seven officers threatened to put Rashid Ali al-Gaylani into PMs office Regent

refused

 

Mar 14 Regent called meeting of fmr PMs Got them to promise to work with Gaylani if he became

PM

 

Mar 17 PM Said resigned due to disagreements with his cabinet Also part of his plan to get MP

Gaylani to be PM

 

Mar 28 Nuri al-Said convinced Golden Square officers to back Gaylani to be next PM Said would

become Foreign Minister

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Mar 30 Regent had one of the Golden Square officers ordered to Diwaniya He refused

order Was pushed by UK to try to break up pan-Arab officers in army

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Mar 31 Rashid Ali al-Gaylani became PM 2nd of 3 times in deal with Nuri al-Said and Golden

Square officers Attempt by Regent to reconcile two groups

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Apr 3 PM Gaylani ended martial law Released some political prisoners

 

May 25 Iraq Foreign Minister Said said England and France should grant Syria and

            Palestine independence to counter Axis propaganda

(Musings On Iraq review Britain’s Informal Empire In The Middle East, A Case Study of Iraq 1929-1941)

 

Jun 6 Churchill wrote War Sec Eden saying he wanted Indian brigades sent to Iraq to

            show British strength Told no troops available

 

Jun 7 Hitler and Italian Foreign Min Ciano discussed dividing Mediterranean Italy wanted treaties

with Iraq Egypt Palestine Syria Hitler acknowledged MidEast was Italy’s sphere of influence Gaylani govt believed Germany would keep Italy out of Mideast Was wrong

 

Jun 10 Italy declared war on Allies England asked Iraq to break relations with Rome as

            a result

 

Jun 12 UK For Sec Lord Halifax told War Cabinet situation in Iraq gotten worse due to

German victories in France German and Italian propaganda had been using Arab anger over Palestine and Syria against UK Few now believed that UK could protect them Arabs wanted to be on winning side in war

Jun 12 Gaylani govt refused request by UK for Iraq to break relations with Italy

 

Jun 21 UK Amb sent note to Gaylani govt asking approval for landing UK troops in Basra Meant to

show UK strength after setbacks in WWII

 

Jun 22 Iraq approved UK landing troops in Basra

 

Jun 24 Iraqi delegation of Foreign Min Said and Justice Min Shawkat went to Turkey to discuss how

to deal with Axis and Syria controlled by Vichy France Iraq asked about supporting Syrian revolt Turkey said best to stay neutral

 

Jun 26 PM Gaylani asked Italy to become involved in Syria to block Turkey occupying it

            Came after Syria joined Vichy France

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

 

Jun 28 Italian Amb told Iraq it wanted an independent Syria Lebanon and Iraq as well Ambassador

didn’t check with foreign office beforehand

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Jul 1 UK Cabinet decided to send division from India to Basra to pressure PM Gaylani who refused

to break relations with Italy and demanded changes to Anglo-Iraq Treaty UK Mideast Cmdr Gen Wavell opposed idea saying it would make situation worse Cabient cancelled deployment

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Jul 4 Regent of Iraq asked England to occupy Syria that had joined Vichy France so that

            pan-Arab union could be formed of Iraq Syria and other Arab countries

 

Jul 5 PM Gaylani made overture to Germany by sending Justice Minister Shawkat to meet

German Ambassador to Turkey von Papen Papen said that Middle East was Italy’s sphere of influence so Germany could only act as an intermediary Shawkat said Iraq wanted Germany to stop Italian imperialism from expanding in Middle East and support pan-Arabism instead Papen said Iraq should contribute to war vs England and Shawkat said that would happen Shawkat asked for Syrian govt to be restored and aid in Palestine

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Jul 10 England decided to send Indian Div to Basra after PM Gaylani wanted to block British troops

moving through Iraq as part of Anglo-Iraq Treaty UK Middle East commander Gen Wavell afraid sending troops to Iraq would destabilize region so had unit sent to Egypt instead

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Aug 6 Mufti of Jerusalem’s representative met with German Amb to Turkey Said Italy promised

independence to all Arab states following WWII Said Iraq wanted to resume diplomatic relations with Germany

 

Aug 26 London said it wouldn’t change Palestine policy Rejected Iraqi plan for 10 yr transition and

Iraq would declare war on Axis in return

 

Aug 27 Iraq agreed to give Axis preferential position on its oil Would help Axis with other Arab

govts Would dismiss pro-UK Foreign Min Said Start revolt vs UK in Transjordan and Palestine

 

Sep 9 Mufti of Jerusalem who was living in Baghdad sent proposal to Italy Said in return

for Italian support for Arab nationalism and aid in Palestine Iraq would give it and Germany access to its oil block England from sending troops through Iraqi territory and secret treaty with Baghdad Proposal was first sent to Germans Italians had given money to Mufti before with few results so had no confidence in him Germans were willing to give money and weapons to him if Italy agreed It did

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

 

Oct 10 UK official told UK Amb Iraqi politicians pan-Arab London unwilling to change Palestine

policy meant Iraq would be lukewarm towards UK until it started winning in WWII

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Oct 18 German ambassador to Turkey told Iraq’s Finance Minister Shawkat Germany supported

Arabs but gave no specific promises or support

(Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The Nationalist Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Oct 23 German Foreign Min Ribbentrop sent letter to Arab Committee in Gaylani govt Said Iraq

should avoid war with UK but if happened Germany would help

Oct 23 Italy and Germany broadcast radio message that they stood for Arab independence Was

demand of Iraq and Mufti of Jerusalem

 

Nov 1 Report to UK cabinet said PM Gaylani had to be dealt with because of contacts with

Germany and refusal to sever ties with Italy

Nov 1 UK Chiefs of Staff recommended removing Gaylani via diplomatic moves

(Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The Nationalist Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Nov 7 British cabinet decided to send emissary to Iraq to demand Regent remove PM

            Gaylani from power for his overtures to Axis Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Dec 5 US Amb to Iraq sent note to PM Gaylani saying he was worried about direction of Iraq-

English relations because of Gaylani’s overtures to the Axis

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Dec 15 Foreign Minister Said wrote memo to PM Gaylani and Regent that Iraq had to back England

during WW2

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Dec 17 Regent called cabinet meeting telling them they lacked unity to run govt PM Gaylani

rejected Regent’s criticism and blamed problems on For Min Said Later in day Regent asked Gaylani to resign He refused Pro-Said MPs criticized Gaylani PM asked Regent to dismiss parliament

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

1941

Jan 9 Gaylani govt asked UK for US dollars to buy weapons from US UK Foreign Min Eden said

UK only gave US$s to its allies Iraq said it was a friend of UK Eden said there were Iraqis who wanted to work with Axis

 

Jan 21 Regent asked PM Gaylani to resign Refused with backing of pan-Arab Golden Square

officers Foreign Min Said resigned instead

 

Jan 25 Justice Min Shawkat resigned Regent again asked PM Gaylani to resign He said no

 

Jan 26 Cabinet met and decided to resign to force PM Gaylani to resign He refused PM asked

Golden Square officers to resolve dispute Regent said he could pick PM Told military to stay out of politics

 

Jan 28 Golden Square officers threatened to put army on alert if Regent didn’t stop trying to dismiss

PM Gaylani Regent named 2 new ministers to create new cabiet to dismiss PM

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Jan 29 Finance Min Suwaidi resigned as PM Gaylani’s cabinet disintegrated in dispute with Regent

over power

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Jan 30 Parliament asked what was going on in power dispute between PM Gaylani and Regent 1 MP

asked for Gaylani to resign PM asked Regent to dissolve parliament He said no Regent told to leave Baghdad to escape Golden Square officers who were threatening coup Regent went to Diwaniya Tried to get army cmdr to fight Golden Square Gaylani resigned instead of starting civil war

Jan 30 Golden Square officers demanded Taha al-Hashemi be made PM or they would rise up

Regent asked Hashemi to retire Golden Square he said no Believed he could reconcile them with Regent

(Musings On Iraq review Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Jan 31 UK Foreign Office decided to give money to Regent to help him return to power

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Feb 1 Regent asked Gen Taha al-Hashemi to become PM Hoped he could control Golden Square

officers

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Feb 3 Regent returned to Baghdad after fleeing to Diwaniya fearing coup Asked PM Hashemi to

control Golden Square He wanted reconciliation PM told Golden Square Iraq had to follow UK in WWII

 

Feb 7 Germany told Italy it was thinking of arming Iraq and was going to give money to

            Mufti of Jerusalem who was living in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Feb 28 Mufti of Jerusalem Pan-Arab Golden Square officers Rashid al-Gaylani secret meeting

Decided to remove PM Hashemi if he cut ties with Italy Gaylani would become PM Agreed no concessions to UK Would expel pro-British politicians

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Mar 7 Head of Political Dept at German Foreign Ministry Ernest Woermann argued that Berlin

should find ways to send arms to Iraq but that Baghdad should not declare war on UK because couldn’t win

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Mar 17 After consulting with UK Foreign Minister Suwaidi convinced PM Hashemi and Regent to

move against Golden Square officers Golden Square called on army to overthrow Hashemi

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

(Musings On Iraq review My Memoirs, Half a Century of the History of Iraq and the Arab Cause)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

 

Mar 21 Regent told UK Amb that he would dismiss PM Hashemi govt if it didn’t deal with

            Golden Square officers

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Mar 26 PM Hashemi transferred 1 Golden Square officer to Diwaniya He refused Golden Square got

PM to reverse order They promised to stay out of politics in return They decided to remove PM

 

Mar 30 Regent had PM Hashemi send one of the Golden Square officers to Diwaniya He refused

order

(Musings On Iraq review Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Mar 31 Golden Square officers decided to remove PM Hashemi in coup

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Apr 1 PM Hashemi deposed in Golden Square officers’ coup Army surrounded royal palace but

Regent escaped to Anbar with help of US ambassador Nuri al-Said and other pro-British politicians fled Iraq

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s First Battle Of Fallujah 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

Apr 1 US and England believed Iraq coup part of German plan in coordination with

            invasion of Balkans and Libya Wasn’t

Apr 1 Golden Square officers thought British were plotting against them

 

Apr 2 Regent of Iraq arrived at British airbase at Habaniya Anbar after Golden Square officers tried

to arrest him after coup Regent tried and failed to organize resistance to coup in Basra Then fled to Jordan

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s First Battle Of Fallujah 1941)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Apr 3 Golden Square officers picked Gaylani to become PM for 3rd time Started arresting

            pro-British politicians

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

Apr 3 British War Office asked commander in Middle East what forces available

for Iraq after Golden Square military coup

Apr 3 Nazi Germany sent letter saying it supported the Golden Square coup and would

            lend military aid

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s First Battle Of Fallujah 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

Apr 4 British called new Gaylani govt illegal and distributed copies of message by Regent

            to resist

Apr 4 Ultra intel in UK intercepted message from Italian amb in Tehran that Rome and

            Berlin were going to send arms to Iraq via Syria

Apr 4 UK Chiefs of Staff asked Middle East commander Gen Wavell how many troops he

            could spare for Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s First Battle Of Fallujah 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Role of the Military In Politics, A case study of Iraq to 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

Apr 5 UK Amb to Iraq Cornwallis wrote memo advocating for using force against Gaylani govt

 

Apr 6 British commander in Iraq asked for military reinforcements from Egypt but

turned down

Apr 6 Iraq banned British military from moving from Habaniya base Confiscated

            radios from British Military Mission

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 7 PM Gaylani told UK Regent could stay in power Govt would follow Anglo-Iraq Treaty Would

break relations with Italy Would stop calls for Palestinian independence if London recognized his govt UK said no because didn’t believe PM would follow through

Apr 7 UK Middle East commander Gen Wavell told War Office military intervention in

Iraq not possible and diplomacy should be used instead Wavell thought Regent of Iraq could be restored to power by strong statement and show of force by Royal Air Force

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 8 UK Joint Planning Staff said all measures should be taken to overthrown PM Gaylani

Apr 8 Churchill ordered Secretary of State for India to put together a military force to

            send to Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

Apr 8 German Foreign Office said it supported Arab action against British for their Freedom Berlin

sent message to Mufti of Jerusalem in Baghdad that Germany willing to provide war aid to Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 9 German Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop was told Gaylani govt was pro-Axis and

Germany working on getting it arms from region Ribbentrop okayed arms shipments to Gaylani govt and sabotage in Iraq and region against English

Apr 9 Germany and Italy made joint statement of support for PM Gaylani promising

            military and financial aid Encouraged Gaylani to confront England

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 10 London ordered India to send forces to Shaiba air base and Basra

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

Apr 10 British expeditionary force put together in India to be sent to Iraq to deal with PM Gaylani

Apr 10 PM Gaylani convened parliament and asked it to pick new Regent Selected Sharif Sharaf

veteran of Arab revolt and relative of Hashemite family Came after UK rejected Gaylani’s offer for Regent to stay in power in return for recognizing his govt

Apr 10 PM Gaylani gave speech at parliament that his govt would honor Anglo-Iraq Treaty

            of 1930 to stall British action against him

Apr 10 Hitler decided to give military aid to Iraq

Apr 10 Italian ambassador to Iraq said Golden Square coup sign Iraq believed Axis was

            winning WW2 and would soon be in Middle East

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Apr 11 UK Ambassador to Iraq wrote that PM Gaylani’s speech that he would honor Anglo-Iraq

Treaty deprived England of its best excuse against his govt and that his will should be tested by telling him British troops would be landing soon in Basra and travelling through Iraq which was right under treaty

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 12 PM Rashid Ali Al-Gaylani became PM 3rd time backed by Golden Square officers

Apr 12 British convoy left India for Basra with infantry brigade Then told its arrival would

            be delayed until PM Gaylani told troops arriving to test his will

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 13 UK decided to go ahead with troop deployments to Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 16 UK told Iraq that troops would be landing in Basra under Anglo-Iraq Treaty UK Amb

Cornwallis said if troops allowed to land London would enter into relations with Gaylani’s govt

Apr 16 PM Gaylani agreed to allow British troops landing in Basra but demanded that

they immediately set out for Palestine or Egypt

Apr 16 German letter arrived saying it would support Iraq revolt against British

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 17 PM Gaylani asked Germany for military aid in case of war with British

Apr 17 British naval convoy moved towards Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra

Apr 17 British battalion from India started arriving at Shaibah air base

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 18 Britain landed 20th Infantry Brigade in Basra Dock workers went on strike

Apr 18 British battalion from India completed deployment to Shaibah air base

Apr 18 PM Gaylani asked Italian Amb if Axis would give Iraq military aid against

            British and Axis air power 1st time Iraq asked for military intervention from Axis

Apr 18 PM Gaylani asked UK Amb that no more British troops land in Iraq and they all

            had to leave Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 19 British 20th Infantry Brigade finished its landing in Basra and 7 planes flown into

            Habaniya airbase

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 20 Churchill told Foreign Secretary Eden that British troops landed in Iraq to

            establish a base in Basra to establish control of province

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

Apr 20 PM Gaylani told UK Amb that Iraqi forces in Basra would be reinforced to a full

            division Said UK had no right to land troops and keep them in Basra

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 21 PM Gaylani asked UK Amb that no more British troops land in Iraq and they all

            had to leave Iraq

Apr 21 Hitler told military aid to Iraq could only be delivered by air and that would require

stop in Syria which would need approval of Vichy France Hitler got intelligence of large British forces in Iraq and more arriving so was skeptical of providing aid to Gaylani govt

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 23 PM Gaylani asked for German military intervention in case of war with England

Apr 23 London decided to land an entire division from India in Basra

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 24 PM Gaylani and Mufti of Jerusalem met with Italian ambassador Told him they

            were angry Axis had done nothing to help Iraq vs British

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

Apr 24 UK began airlifting some of its troops from Basra to Habaniya base in Anbar greatly angering

Iraq

 

Apr 25 Iraq-Italian treaty signed to provide financial and military aid to Iraq for war against

            UK Axis would get oil concessions and use ports and military bases

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 26 PM Gaylani asked Axis for military and financial aid against British

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

Apr 26 UK Amb Cornwallis said UK would recognize Gaylani govt if he would cooperate more

under Anglo-Iraq Teraty

 

Apr 27 German Foreign Min Ribbentrop told Hitler that Gaylani govt was anti-British and

said that plans were underway to send military aid to Iraq and French arms from Syria

 

Apr 28 PM Gaylani and Golden Square officers decided to go to war with UK Asked

            Axis for military and financial aid for second time to be used against UK

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

Apr 28 UK Amb to Iraq told PM Gaylani second contingent of British troops landing

at Basra Gaylani refused them entry Amb ordered start of evacuation of UK civilians from Iraq

Apr 28 364 UK troops airlifted to Habaniya air base

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 29 More British troops from 20th Infantry Brigade arrived in Basra Iraq protested

Apr 29 British Ambassador told British women and children to leave Baghdad because

            of expected war with Iraq

Apr 29 PM Gaylani sent Iraqi forces to British air base at Habaniya Anbar 11th Inf Brigade

ordered to Baghdad to later be deployed to Anbar UK Emb in Baghdad informed UK forces in Habaniya Iraqi army heading their way

Apr 29 Iraqis flooded Habaniya area limiting movement of British troops there Occupied

Kirkuk oil fields Cut oil to Haifa and restarted flow to Lebanon for Vichy France that could be used by Axis

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Apr 30 PM Gaylani refused permission for British troops to land in Basra

Apr 30 2 brigades of Iraqi soldiers deployed on plateau above UK Habaniya base Told UK to cease

operations there Iraq had 9000 troops British 2250

Apr 30 Iraqi forces surrounded British embassy in Baghdad

Apr 30 PM Gaylani hoped to pressure British to leave Iraq without a fight

Apr 30 UK memo to Chiefs of Staff discussed destroying Iraq’s oil wells to deny them to Germany

Apr 30 British and American civilians told to leave Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

May 1 PM Churchill said all measures would be taken to restore Iraq including use of force

May 1 Iraqi High Command sent message to UK air commander in Iraq to halt all flights

which was refused Said if there was any interference by UK would be act of war

May 1 British decided on pre-emptive attack to move Iraqi army away from Habaniya base in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

May 1 PM Gaylani went to Turkish Amb to Iraq saying British violating 1930 treaty and expected

English air strikes any time Gaylani asked Turkish ambassador to contact British and try to stop conflict Message was passed to British ambassador to Iraq

May 1 Iraqi police opened fire on British workers in Rutba, Anbar England responded by sending

forces from Transjordan to town

May 1 British bombers sent from Egypt to Shaibah air base

May 1 1st Battalion of Iraq’s 11th Inf Brigade sent from Baghdad to Fallujah to confront British

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

ANGLO-IRAQ WAR/WORLD WAR II

 

May 2 English commander at Habaniya base Anbar consulted with London and got

permission to attack Iraqis by camp British planes bombed Iraqis starting Anglo-Iraq War British lost 22 planes and 10 pilots

May 2 Iraq launched air strike upon Habaniya base in retaliation Shelled air field damaging

            40 planes British lost 13 dead and 20 wounded

May 2 Grand Mufti in Baghdad declared jihad against British after attack on Iraqi forces

            in Habaniya

May 2 Iraqi forces took British fort at Rutba, Anbar

May 2 British troops broke up angry mob of Iraqis at Zubeila, Basra

May 2 Iraqi govt asked Germany for diplomatic relations to be restored and military aid

            including planes

May 2 UK Chiefs of Staff ordered Mid-East Commander Gen Wavell to make plans to

            destroy Iraq’s pipelines

May 2 Iraq’s 1st Inf Brigade ordered from Baghdad to Ramadi to block British troops from

            Transjordan being sent to Habaniya Air Base 11th Inf Brigade sent to Habaniya

May 2 British took Iraq out of Sterling zone and had foreign banks close to impose

            economic sanctions on Gaylani govt

(Musings On Iraq interview with Prof Boich World War II In Iraq and Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

May 3 2nd day UK bombing Expanded to Iraqi air bases and supply lines in Baghdad and Diyala

May 3 Iraqi air force bombed Iraqi army in Ramadi by accident in night raid

May 3 Churchill ordered British troops to march from Palestine to Iraq

May 3 UK commander for Mid-East Gen Wavell given command of Iraq Complained no

forces to spare and negotiations should be used instead Wavell later claimed he could send a small force from Palestine to Iraq but it would threaten security in the region and again called for talks with Baghdad

May 3 PM Gaylani told Italian ambassador Iraq needed German and Italian air support to

deal with British, financial aid and a German military mission to work with Iraq General Staff

May 3 German Foreign Min Ribbentrop supported sending special representative to

Baghdad along with military liaison officers to set up arrival of German aid Also suggested sending fighter and bomber squadrons to Iraq Hitler agreed

May 3 Communists called on public to support Gaylani govt when war started Saw him as anti-

imperialist

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 4 British bombed Iraqi air bases in Baghdad and Baquba Destroyed or damaged

            29 planes in Baghdad 14 in Baquba

May 4 British bombers arrived at Habaniya airbase from Egypt while Iraqis continued

            to shell base 150 UK troops also flown into base

May 4 British troops in Habaniya base launched attacked and failed to take Sin al-Dhibban used to

            cross Euphrates and supply Iraqi troops outside base

May 4 British dropped leaflets on Baghdad saying war was with Gaylani govt not

            Iraqi people

May 4 Regent broadcast radio message asking people not to follow Gaylani govt Called PM a tyrant

imposed by the military Baghdad radio called on govt to arm the people

May 4 PM Gaylani sent diplomat to Tehran and told embassy in Turkey to pressure

            Germans to send aid

May 4 UK Chiefs of Staff told Mid-East commander Gen Wavell he had to take action

            against the Gaylani govt

May 4 UK War Sec Eden told Iraqi charge d’affaires if war continued and Germany joined all

            of Iraq would become a battlefield

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 5 UK Mid-East commander Gen Wavell told to think up air strike plan against Kirkuk oil

            fields Idea was later dropped

May 5 Gen Wavell told Chiefs of Staff didn’t think a force from Palestine could relieve Habaniya

Base in Anbar that their departure would threaten security in Palestine and Egypt therefore talks should be taken up with Baghdad

May 5 Iraqi troops at Habaniya ran out of ammunition and not re-supplied Began withdrawing 300

captured by British

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 6 UK Foreign Min Eden told parliament if Iraq withdrew forces from Habaniya and

            fighting stopped London willing to talk Policy was to remove PM Gaylani

May 6 Iraq launched largest air attack on Habaniya air base Iraqis then began to withdraw

from outside base due to lack of water and rations 409 Iraqi soldiers captured Iraqis suffered 1,000 casualties Iraq launched 2nd air raid on Habaniya later that day Iraqis lost initiative in Anglo-Iraq War when gave up in Habaniya Had no plan or leadership to do more than lay siege to base

May 6 British and Assyrian forces took Sin al-Dhiban, Anbar captured 300 Iraqi soldiers

May 6 British planes destroyed Iraqi column heading for Habaniya inflicting over 1,000

            casualties and prisoners taken

May 6 PM Gaylani told Mufti of Jerusalem to contact Germans and ask them for

            immediate aid

May 6 German deal with Vichy France allowed military equipment to be moved from

            Syria to Iraq to fight British

May 6 German air unit sent to Syria bound for Mosul to confront British

May 6 More British troops landed in Basra

May 6 Mob attacked Jewish hospital in Baghdad looking for British agents Burned parts of

facility

May 6 Churchill dismissed UK Mid-East cmdr Gen Wavell for his objections to military

            action in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 7 British troops took Ashar, Basra Iraqis bombed British Habaniya air base Iraqi forces

retreating from Habaniya ran into Iraqi units coming from Fallujah Columns stopped to consult Attacked and destroyed by British planes from Habaniya base 1,000 Iraqis killed

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

May 7 Jewish business and homes in Basra looted Notables in Basra organized protection of

Jewish areas

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

May 7 Communists sent letter to PM Gaylani calling for him to stop attacks on Jews Happened after

Jewish stores and homes looted in Basra in May

 

May 8 British Arab Legion left Palestine to take back Fort Rutba, Anbar from Iraqi

police Legion was attacked by German aircraft and one regiment refused to cross Transjordan border into Iraq

May 8 British Royal Air Force reported Iraqi air force combat ineffective Lost 25 planes

            Another 20-30 heavily damaged

May 8 6 more English planes landed at Habaniya air base from Egypt

May 8 Vichy France agreed to transfer weapons from Syria to Iraq to use its air fields and okayed

landing of German planes

May 8 Iraq Defense Minister Shawkat went to Turkey for talks Ankara offered end of

fighting permission for UK to use bases in Iraq In return UK would recognize Gayalani’s govt

May 8 Iraq Finance Minister Suwaidi went to Saudi Arabia to explain conflict with England and

            ask for mediation Ibn Saud said Iraq should talk with London and end war

May 8 UK Mideast Cmdr Gen Wavell said not enough troops to take Baghdad and fight

            Iraqi and Axis forces

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

May 8 People called on British army to take control of Basra city to stop looting of Jewish business

and homes They refused

 

May 9 Germany announced aid package for Iraq

May 9 German diplomat arrived in Syria to organize arms shipments to Iraq

May 9 Start of 100 German and 20 Italian airplanes landing in Syrian bases to fight British in

Iraq British intel found out about planes being flown from Greece to Syria and that Vichy France sending trains full of military aid to Iraq

May 9 British planes bombed Iraqi police holding Fort Rutba, Anbar while Iraqi

            reinforcements arrived Bombed air bases in Mosul and Rashid

May 9 British cmdr in India Gen Auchinleck told Chiefs of Staff British had to deal

            with Iraq

May 9 PM Churchill told Mid-East commander Gen Wavell he had to take bold military

            action against Iraq and wouldn’t negotiation with PM Gaylani

May 9 Jordanian soldiers mutinied and refused to cross over into Iraq 240 men left unit

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 10 New German ambassador to Iraq arrived in Mosul with 2 He 111 bombers

May 10 Iraqis abandoned Fort Rutba allowing British to capture it

May 10 UK India commander Gen Auchinlek advocated occupying Baghdad Mosul

Kirkuk to preclude German intervention Mid-East commander Gen Wavell replied that Iraq not as important as other fronts and he had limited resources

May 10 UK Mideast cmdr Gen Wavell told Churchill attack on Baghdad could start

Arab revolt Wavell told Churchill some Jordanian forces already refused to go to Iraq Wavell finally gave order for forces in Jordan to head for Habaniya Anbar Wavell ordered that Baghdad was not to be occupied

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 11 British forces left Haifa, Palestine heading for Habaniya, Anbar

May 11 More British planes landed as reinforcements at Habaniya air base

May 11 German military aid began arriving from Syria by train Stored in Mosul but

            never used

May 11 German diplomat Dr. Grobba arrived in Baghdad along with 3 German planes and

            20,000 Pounds for PM Gaylani

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 12 Soviet Union recognized PM Gaylani’s govt

May 12 British reinforcements from Palestine and Transjordan attacked by a German

            Bomber as they entered Iraq

May 12 German air force liaison officer killed while trying to land in Baghdad during dog

            fight between Iraqi and British fighter planes

May 12 PM Gaylani told German ambassador to Turkey that Ankara made offer to be

middleman with England Gaylani feared Ankara would intervene in Iraq German ambassador dismissed that idea

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 13 Iraq told German ambassador to Turkey that it agreed to Turkish offer to

            mediate with England

May 13 Golden Square officers rejected Turkey’s offer to mediate with England and

threatened to shoot PM Gaylani if he accepted He offered to resign Mufti of Jerusalem had to intervene

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

May 13 1st trainload of Nazi German war supplies from Vichy France controlled Syria arrived in

Mosul to support PM Gaylani’s govt Never used

May 13 British forces bombed Syrian-Mosul railway to try to block Axis aid to Iraq

May 13 Jordanians from Palestine arrived at Fort Rutba in Anbar  

May 13 German planes attacked British forces at Habaniya air base 1 British plane shot

            down by German plane over Mosul

May 13 Egyptian Chief of Staff Gen Masri arrested while attempting to fly to Iraq to join

            fight vs British

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 14 Churchill authorized British air force in Iraq to attack German planes in Syria

May 14 2 British fighters flew out of Iraq and attacked 2 German bombers in Syria

            damaging them

May 14 German war planes began landing in Mosul Were attacked by British planes

May 14 Iraq Finance Minister Suwaidi met German ambassador Told to take up Turkish

mediation offer to stall for time until Axis aid could be organized German ambassador promised German planes were arriving and military aid coming from Syria

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 15 German major arrived in Baghdad to lead Brandenburgers Commandorecon unit

in Iraq along with squadron of bombers and squadron of fighters Met with PM Gaylani Decided priority blocking Transjordan force form reaching Habaniya base Was too late to do that

May 15 Germany had total of 24 fighters and bombers in Iraq to help Gaylani govt fight

            German planes were painted in Iraqi colors to hide their origin

May 15 British bomber attacked Iraqi column outside Rutba, Anbar

May 15 German plane bombed British force from Palestine heading towards Habaniya

May 15 British received intel that German planes flying to Iraq from Syria

May 15 Kurds began discussing revolt against PM Gaylani to take advantage of crisis with

            British

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

 

May 16 While British planes bombed Iraqi column outside Rutba, Anbar English ground

            forces were attacked by German planes

May 16 German planes attacked Habaniya base British destroyed 10 German planes in Irbil

            and Mosul

May 16 German commander in Iraq agreed with Baghdad’s plan to retake Habaniya but

            didn’t have forces to do it

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

May 16 Mullah Mustafa Barzani escaped Baghdad and headed for Sulaymaniya

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

May 17 British forces set out from Habaniya base to try to take Fallujah

May 17 10 British planes landed at Habaniya air base from Egypt and launched

attack on German planes in Mosul British bombed Baghdad air base Shot down 2 German fighters

May 17 German liaison officer with Iraqi govt killed by an Iraqi soldier flying into

            Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 18 British bombed Fallujah while troops begin surrounding town

May 18 Transjordan force arrived at Habaniya base in Anbar Were attacked by German planes

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 19 British took Fallujah from Iraqi forces after heavy bombing Was necessary to

            cross Euphrates onto Baghdad 300 Iraqis captured

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s First Battle Of Fallujah 1941)

May 19 Iraqi command found out about loss of Fallujah and decided to launch

            counterattack

May 19 Iraq Defense Minister Shawkat returned from Turkey Was accused of being a

traitor by Golden Square officers for talking about mediation with England Fled to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

May 19 Mullah Mustafa Barzani arrived in Sulaymaniya after escaping Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

May 20 German planes attacked British Habaniya air base in Anbar

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 21 Iraqis launched counterattack attempting to retake Fallujah from British Entered

            town

May 21 German planes bombed air base at Habaniya for a second day

May 21 Iraq launched raids into Basra city suburbs but failed

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 22 Iraq attempt to recapture Fallujah failed

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s First Battle Of Fallujah 1941)

May 22 Regent of Iraq along with Nuri al-Said arrived at British base at Habaniya, Anbar

            Said sent letter to Iraqi commander in Ramadi who agreed to switch sides

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 23 German planes attacked British forces in Fallujah Iraqi artillery shelled town

May 23 Hitler Order 30 Germany would support Arabs against British especially in Iraq

May 23 UK Mid-East commander Gen Wavell and Indian commander Gen Auchinlek met

in Basra Decided to send forces to Baghdad and more to be sent from India to Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 24 Mufti of Jerusalem told Italians Arab revolt hinged on Iraq and it needed more support

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

May 25 British attacked Iraqis 6 miles up from Basra city 10th Indian Div ordered to head north

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 26 2nd trainload of German military aid arrived from Syria Stored in Mosul but never used

May 26 12 Italian planes landed in Kirkuk from Syria to operate under Germans Immediately

attacked British forces in Anbar

May 26 Mussolini met with German military attache’ and expressed concern about Iraq Asked

whether Berlin would give substantive or symbolic support to Iraq Mussolini told German military attache’ Iraq could turn tide in Mediterranean Attache’ said Berlin serious about Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

May 27 Operation Regulta began British forces marched north from Basra to Kut and

            onto Baghdad Captured Ur

May 27 British forces moved from Fallujah to cut Baghdad-Mosul road and railway Forced Iraqis

out of Taji north of Baghdad

May 27 PM Gaylani told Italians he was disappointed with Axis assistance

May 27 UK Foreign Min Eden said that Regent Ilah lacked a strong character but he was

            loyal to England

May 27 Germans began withdrawing from Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 28 British forces captured Khan Nuqta fort on march from Fallujah to Baghdad

May 28 British troops moved from Basra to Baghdad take Ur

May 28 British forces attacked Abu Ghraib canal but turned back by Iraqis

May 28 British intel spread rumor to Iraqi military that 100 tanks heading to Baghdad

            Led PM Gaylani to flee

May 28 3rd shipment of German military supplies arrived in Mosul Never used

May 28 Iraqi military and political leaders met along with Mufti of Jerusalem Agreed fighting

for Baghdad would destroy it Declared it open city Decided to create committee to run Baghdad while govt would retreat to Mosul or Kirkuk

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 29 Italian planes got into dogfight with British planes over Baghdad 1 Italian and 2

            British planes shot down

May 29 British defeated Iraqi forces at Abu Ghraib Turned back at Abu Ghraib canal in

            push on Baghdad for second time

May 29 British forces defeated by Iraqi army at Kadhimiya, Baghdad

May 29 PM Gaylani told military leadership had fled to Persia leading to his own

            escape there along with Mufti of Jerusalem

May 29 German ambassador to Iraq fled Baghdad for Kirkuk fearing British advance

May 29 Governor of Baghdad captured by British on trip to Samarra

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

May 30 Last brigade of British 10th Infantry Division from India landed in Basra

May 30 Economic Min Sabawi organized irregular defense of Baghdad using youth brigades When

heard govt had fled to Iran declared himself military governor of city Army and police refused his orders Met with security committee who refused his leadership Led him to flee to Iran

May 30 British troops reached Baghdad Iraqi army barracks in province bombed leading it

            to ask for peace

May 30 Baghdad mayor and army officers approached British embassy asking for armistice

May 30 German Ambassador to Iraq Grobba fled to Mosul Told German Foreign Minister

Ribbentrop Iraqis still in the fight Ribbentrop said that more planes would arrive by June 1 Grobba said because of lack of fuel German planes would have to operate from Syria

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

May 30 Public order committees created to run Baghdad Paramilitary youth groups dissolved and told

to turn in weapons

 

May 31 Mayor of Baghdad worked out peace treaty with British surrendering city

May 31 Yunis Sabawi pro-Nazi leader appointed himself governor of southern Iraq

            and told Jews to stay in homes

May 31 German ambassador to Iraq told Berlin UK-Iraq armistice signed False rumor British

            seized Mosul airport forced him to flee to Syria

May 31 German High Command told German planes heading to and based in Iraq to

            gather in Aleppo until further notice

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

Jun 1 Regent of Iraq returned to power after PM Gaylani overthrown by British

Jun 1 497 Iraqi soldiers killed and 695 wounded British lost 150 troops during Anglo-

            Iraq War

Jun 1 Regent welcomed at airport by group of Jews from Baghdad who were attacked

            on way home 1 Jew killed 16 wounded Violence continued into capital

Jun 1 Farhud anti-Jewish pogrom in Baghdad started with police soldiers and paramilitary youth

group Then spread to looters Around 120 people killed and 850 wounded

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

Jun 1 Yunis Sabawi pro-Nazi leader who appointed himself governor of southern Iraq

            planned pogrom against Jews but deported by British

Jun 1 British troops barred from entering Baghdad during Farhud UK Foreign Office

            thought it would look bad for Regent to return to power backed by English troops

Jun 1 German Gen Felmy head of military mission to Iraq arrived in Syria after Anglo-

            Iraq War was over

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq 1941, The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

 

Jun 2 Jamil al-Midfai named PM 4th of 5 times after PM Gaylani overthrown by British

            Declared martial law

Jun 2 Anti-Jewish pogrom the Farhud in Baghdad continued until curfew imposed 135-189

Jews killed 700-1000 wounded 10 raptes 550 stores 900 apts looted

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

Jun 2 Regent of Iraq Ilah ordered end to Farhud Sent army into Baghdad Killed large number of

people looting and attacking Jews

Jun 2 British intelligence officer asked why British troops weren’t sent to Baghdad to stop

            the Farhud Thought London didn’t want to upset the Regent

Jun 2 UK 20th Indian Brigade ordered from Basra to Baghdad to help secure area

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The National Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Jun 3 3rd train load of German military aid arrived from Syria Stored in Mosul after war ended

Jun 3 British troops occupied Mosul after overthrowing Gaylani govt

 

Jun 5 British forces occupied Kirkuk

 

Jun 6 British forces sent to Haditha and pushed insurgents led by Qawujki into Syria

 

Jun 8 British campaign started against Vichy French in Syria using troops in Iraq

            Germany used Syria to supply pro-Ger Gaylani govt in Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq And Syria 1941, The Politics and Strategy of the Second World War)

(Musings On Iraq review Blood, Oil and the Axis: The Allied Resistance Against A Fascist State In Iraq and the Levant, 1941)

 

Jun 9 Another British brigade landed in Basra

 

Jun 10 British air force destroyed train shipment of German military aid heading for

            Iraq from Syria Anglo-Iraq War already over

 

Jun 16 Another British brigade landed in Basra to help secure Iraq after Anglo-Iraq War

 

Jun 16 Another British brigade landed in Basra to help secure Iraq after Anglo-Iraq War

 

Jul 13 British hanged 3 people for participation in Farhud where 187 Jews killed in 2 days

 

Jul 14 PM Midfai declared martial law in Sulaymaniya to stop revolt by Mulla Mustafa Barzani

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Aug 25 British forces in Basra and Diyala invaded Iran where Shah refused to expel Germans

            spreading Axis propaganda

 

Sep 21 PM Midfai resigned over argument with Finance Min Kamal

 

Oct 7 Regent accepted resignation of PM Midfai Got into argument with his Finance Min Kamal

 

Oct 9 Nuri al-Said became PM 4th of 9 times Went after supporters of former PM Gaylani Purged the

military and civil service Gave prison sentences to 100s

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq review of Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The Nationalist Movement in Iraq 1939-194)

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Oct 29 PM Said ordered arrest of 41 supporters of ex-PM Gaylani Eventually 350 arrested Included

Communist Party Sec Gen Masoud

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

 

1942

Jan 6 Court sentenced former PM Gaylani and 3 Golden Square colonels to death in absentia

(Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The Nationalist Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Between the Two World Wars, The Militarist Origins of Tyranny)

 

Feb 23 Al-Ahali party started publishing new paper Sawt al-Ahali Pushed for elections Freedom of

press Raising living standards Palestine

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Apr 8 UK ambassador to Iraq Sir Cornwallis wrote PM Said was following through with Anglo-

Iraq Treaty and anti-British forces were being put into concentration camps

 

Oct 8 PM Nuri al-Said formed a new cabinet Part of political instability during monarchy Were 10

elections and 59 cabinets from 1922-58

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

 

1943

Jan 16 Iraq declared war on Axis

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

 

Jan 20 Fmr PM Gaylani in exile in Germany made radio broadcast claiming Iraq still

            in state of war with England

(Musings On Iraq review of Persian Gulf Command, A History of the Second World War In Iran and Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Rashid Ali al-Gailani, The Nationalist Movement in Iraq 1939-1941)

 

Jul 1 Mustafa Barzani led rebellion against govt Iraqi troops backed by British airplanes

            suppressed revolt by Oct 1945

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Dec 19 PM Said offered resignation over disagreements with Regent No one wanted to be PM so

Said remained in office

 

Dec 25 Regent asked PM Nuri al-Said to form his 3rd cabinet Made Mullah Mustafa Barzani

Minister of Kurdish Affairs in failed attempt to co-opt him and end his revolt

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review of The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

1944

Feb 16 Parliamentary Party formed mostly of large land holding sheikhs Supported

            whatever govt Regent backed

 

Feb 22 Mulla Mustafa Barzani surrendered to Baghdad for revolt Was allowed to return to Barzan

 

Apr 19 PM Said resigned again but Regent didn’t accept it because couldn’t find someone to replace

Said

 

May 23 PM Said resigned 3rd time Regent would eventually accept it

 

Jun 4 Hamdi al-Pachachi became PM Regent picked most of the cabinet that became immediately

divided

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Sep 9 Iraq and Soviet Union established diplomatic relations

 

Sep 25 Nuri al-Said told Egyptian PM Nahas two countries should organize an Arab summit Led to

Arab League

 

Sep 30 UK Ambassador to Iraq Sir Cornwallis said PM Said was no longer interested in his govt

and might be dangerous as a result Sir Cadogan of Foreign Office asked if Said should be removed as a result

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

 

Oct 7 Protocol of Alexandria signed that would lead to formation of Arab League Iraq was one of the

architects

 

1945

Feb 12 Mullah Mustafa Barzani founded Freedom Party Included Kurdish govt officials and army

officers Said goal was to create cooperation amongst tribes

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Mar 22 Arab League formed Iraq was one of the architects

 

Mar 30 UK Ambassador to Iraq Sir Cornwallis wrote he was afraid old Iraqi elite were never going

to change and that would lead to violence between haves and have nots

 

Apr 10 Parliament passed amnesty for Kurdish rebels as part of reconciliation with Mulla Mustafa

Barzani

 

Aug 7 Army attacked Mulla Mustafa Barzani forces and pushed back

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Aug 10 Police tried to disarm Barzani tribe Mulla Mustafa Barzani attacked several police posts

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Apr 16 Baghdad railway workers strike for higher wages spread to Samawa

 

Apr 18 Baghdad railway strike for wage increase spread to Basra

 

Apr 19 Baghdad railway strike spread to Mosul

 

Aug 25 Army moved against Kurdish Baradosti tribe Was attacked by tribe and suffered heavy

losses Another army column ambushed in Zebari tribal area

(Musings On Iraq review Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

 

Sep 4 Iraqi forces along with anti-Barzani tribes launched new assault upon Mulla Mustafa Barzani

forces in Barzan

(Musings On Iraq review of The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Sep 25 Mulla Mustafa Barzani fled into Iran to escape govt offensive

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq & the Kurdish Question, 1958-70)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Oct 9 Member of underground Zionist group in Iraq wrote cmdr of external ops of Haganah Said they

had largely failed at recruiting Iraqi Jews and convincing them to immigrate to Palestine

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Dec 27 Regent of Iraq gave speech promising political reform improved social security fighting

employment redistribution of wealth new Anglo-Iraq Treaty PM Pachachi was opposed to any reforms

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

 

1946

Jan 31 PM Pachachi resigned as Regent pushed for political and economic reforms 

 

Feb 23 Tawfiq Suwaidi became PM 2nd time Was supposed to carry out Regent’s

reform program Ended martial law allowed limited political parties freed political prisoners lifted censorship

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review My Memoirs, Half a Century of the History of Iraq and the Arab Cause)

 

Mar 16 Govt legalized Communist Anti-Zionist League

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq A History Of The Iraqi Communist Party Interview With Univ of East Anglia’s Johan Franzen)

 

Mar 23 PM Suwaidi submitted temporary budget to Senate 9 Senators absent to block its passage to

force PM to resign

 

Mar 29 Iraq-Turkey Friendship Treaty Would cooperate over Tigris and Euphrates

            security education communication economies

 

Mar 31 Mullah Mustafa Barzani named general in Mahabad Republic in Iran

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

May 30 PM Suwaidi resigned over controversy over Iraq-Turkey Friendship Treaty Nuri

            al-Said negotiated treaty without consulting with govt

 

Apr 2 National Democratic Party Independence Party Liberal Party National Unity Party People’s

Party licensed Became major opposition parties during monarchy Called for independence from UK End Anglo-Iraq Treaty Arab unity Democracy Individual liberties Some were socialist and Marxist

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Apr 20 Govt approved 5 new political parties as part of political reforms

 

Jun 1 Arshad al-Umari mayor of Baghdad became PM 1st of 2 times Launched

repressive campaign against growing opposition parties pushing for reforms Revoked licenses of 2 opposition parties Closed opposition papers

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Jun 28 Communist Anti-Zionist League organized march in Baghdad for Palestine Demanded UK

troops withdraw from Iraq Police fired into crowd Killed 5 PM Umari suspended opposition papers

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

 

Jul 3 Iraq Petroleum Company workers went on strike for higher pay led by Communists

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Jul 12 Iraq Petroleum Company strike ended in Kirkuk after police shot at workers Killed 10-16

Wounded 27

 

Jul 13 March by Iraqi Petroleum Company workers in Kirkuk Demanded police be brought to

justice for shooting and killing demonstrators day before Demands were met and some police were put on trial

 

Jul 14 Striking oil workers met outside Kirkuk Iraq Petroleum Company denied their demands for

higher pay Kirkuk governor ordered police to break up meeting Police fired on workers Killed 18 Wounded around 50 Killings condemned by press PM Umari govt shut down papers as a result Incident helped lead to fall of PM Umari’s govt in November

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Jul 16 Strike by Iraq Petroleum Company workers in Kirkuk ended Some of their demands met

 

Aug 6 UK Embassy official met with Foreign Min Jamali and Social Affairs Min Pachachi Pushed

for reform rather than repression dealing with striking oil workers

 

Aug 13 PM Umari closed National Democratic Party newspaper 1 of its leaders Chadirchi given 6

months in prison

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Aug 16 Kurdistan Democratic Party founded Mullah Mustafa Barzani its president and Hamza

Abdullah secretary general

(Musings On Iraq review of The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq & the Kurdish Question, 1958-70)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Aug 26 Interior Min Qassab resigned over PM Umari failing to punish Kirkuk police for shooting at

oil workers on strike

 

Aug 27 Court of Appeals overturned conviction of opposition National Democratic Party leader

Chadirchi He was released from prison

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Nov 14 PM Umari forced to resign in aftermath of Kirkuk Massacre where oil strikers killed

 

Nov 21 Nuri al-Said became PM 5th of 9 times Opposition National Democratic Party and Liberal

Party each given ministry Led to splits within Democratic Party Was divide and conquer tactic with opposition

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958 on Said govt)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Dec 26 National Democratic Party minister resigned from PM Said govt over King Ghazi and PM

interfering in elections by pushing their candidates

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

1947

Jan 18 Police arrested Yusuf head of the Communist Party along with other leaders

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Mar 10 PM Said held new elections to get parliament full of his supporters National Democratic

Party ran candidates in Baghdad Mosul Basra Kut Found Said interfered in vote and picked winners Democratic Party only won 4 seats

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Mar 11 PM Said resigned Asked Salih Jabr to be next PM so he could hold power behind the scenes

 

Mar 17 National Democratic Party and Liberal Party decided to boycott new parliament after

election fraud by PM Said PM suspended opposition and arrested leaders

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Mar 29 Sayid Salih Jabr became premier 1st Shiite PM Offered reform program Was actually picked

by ex-PM Said to continue his program revising 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Apr 15 Iraq and Jordan signed Treaty of Brotherhood Start of union between two countries

 

Apr 25 After Mahabad Republic crushed by Iran Mullah Mustafa Barzani retreated back to Barzan,

Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Apr 26 Iraq left San Francisco Conference on creating UN to protest creation of Israel

 

Apr 28 Mustafa Barzani and 500 supporters returned to Iraq from Iran

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

May 27 Mullah Mustafa Barzani decided to leave Iraq to USSR via Turkey and Iran after many of

his followers were arrested and his brother Sheikh Ahmed Barzani surrendered to govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Jun 8 National Democratic Party opposed Treaty of Bon Voisinage with Turkey and Brotherhood

treaty with Jordan Had paper shut down editor Wahab and leader Chadirchai put on trial

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Jun 15 Mustafa Barzani revolt against govt put down and he fled to Soviet Union

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

Jun 15 Regent went to London to start negotiating new Anglo-Iraq Treaty

 

Jun 19 Govt executed 4 Kurdish officers who’d joined Barzani’s rebellion and went with him to Iran

during Mahabad Republic Returned to Iraq afterwards and arrested 1st time fmr soldiers executed for joining Kurdish revolt

 

Jun 24 Communist leader Yusuf and others found guilty and given death sentences UK intervened

and Yusuf given life

 

Jun 29 Baghdad hung four of Barzani’s lieutenants and arrested Sheikh Ahmed Barzani

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq review Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

 

Sep 29 PM Jabr suspended Shaab and National Union Party for sedition Communist leaders put on

trial Led opposition to unite against PM

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Oct 7 Arab League agreed to create a military committee Was led by Iraqi Gen Ismail Said

 

Nov 28 Iraq’s Foreign Minister Jamail told UN that creation of Israel would lead to

            unrest in Middle East

 

Dec 28 Regent called meeting of leading politicians to discuss negotiations over new Anglo-Iraq

Treaty Political parties not invited Politicians backed deal with British to allow their continued presence in Iraq which was opposed by most Iraqis

 

1948

Jan 3 Reported that negotiations underway for new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Foreign Min Jamali said Iraq

sensitive about Treaty

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Statesman, A portrait of Mohammed Fadhel Jamali)

Jan 3 Independence Party held meeting and decided to protest against govt and 1930

            Anglo-Iraq Treat

 

Jan 4 Students in Baghdad protested against 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty Broken up by

            police Start of Wathba/Great Leap

 

Jan 5 PM Jabr suspended classes at Baghdad Law College to try to stop protests Students at other

colleges and high schools went on strike Part of Wathba/Great Leap

 

Jan 6 Baghdad Law College students marched against talks over new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Broken up

by police School shut down Part of Wathba/Great Leap

 

Jan 8 College student strike in Baghdad ended when arrested students were released by

            police

 

Jan 11 PM Jabr announced 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty cancelled and new one would be signed

 

Jan 15 New Anglo-Iraqi Treaty signed British troops withdrew but Iraq tied to England

            until 1973

Jan 15 One version of Anglo-Iraq Treaty included speeding arms sales to Iraq including

automatic weapons for Iraqi police that were really going to be turned over to Palestinians Also included Iraqi forces taking over all the areas the British withdrew from in Palestine to prevent creation of a Jewish state Was not included in final version of treaty

 

Jan 16 New Anglo-Iraq Treaty announced Opposition parties National Democratic Party Liberal

Party Independence Party Communists called on public to reject treaty Students went on strike Organized protests

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Jan 17 Student walkout to protest new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Part of Wathba/Great Leap

 

Jan 18 New Anglo-Iraq Treaty published Led to 3 day strike and major protest in Baghdad led by

opposition parties Part of Wathba/Great Leap

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Jan 19 Kurds from Iraq and Iran met in Baku, Soviet Union Mustafa Barzani led plans

            for Kurdish movement

(Musings On Iraq review of The Kurds, A Modern History)

(Musings On Iraq review Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope)

(Musings On Iraq review The Kurdish Revolt 1961-1970)

(Musings On Iraq Explaining Kurdish Nationalism Interview With Teen Tech Univ Prof Michael Gunter)

Jan 19 Govt issued warning to students to end strike over new Anglo-Iraq Treaty or face harsh

            punishments Part of Wathba/Great Leap

 

Jan 20 March by railway workers and students against Anglo-Iraq Treaty Fired upon by

            police on bridge Killed 4 Opposition demanded PM Jabr resign Part of Wathba/Great Leap

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Jan 21 Protest against police killings day before Were met by police who killed 2 more College

faculties resigned in protest Demonstrations against new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Part of Wathba/Great Leap

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

Jan 21 Regent held emergency meeting of royal court Dep PM Baban said police shot at protesters

in self defense Blamed Communists for all problems National Democratic Party’s Chadirchi said govt needed to realize opposition to new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Regent asked Dep PM Baban to ask PM Jabr to return from UK Jabr dismissed protests

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

Jan 21 Regent announced new Anglo-Iraq Treaty did not help Iraq and it wouldn’t be passed

 

Jan 22 10,000 marched in Baghdad supporting Regent rejecting new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Part of

Wathba/Great Leap

Jan 22 PM Jabr rejected Regent’s cancelling Anglo-Iraq Treaty Said Iraqis would understand

benefits of treaty when it was explained to them Denounced protests

 

Jan 23 More protests against Anglo-Iraq Treaty this time leading to fights between

Communists and Independence party Protests called for overthrowing govt Part of Wathba/Great Leap

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Jan 26 PM Jabr returned to Iraq from England Met with Regent Blamed Dep PM Baban for protests

against Anglo-Iraq Treaty Said Baghdad Law College should have been closed and more force used against protests

Jan 26 PM Jabr told Regent he would resign but got 24 hrs to put down protests

Jan 26 PM Jabr made radio broadcast Called for calm Said he would explain the new Anglo-Iraq

Treaty to public Told police to put down protests by any means Police fired into crowds

 

Jan 27 Communists called for more protests against Anglo-Iraq Treaty to try to topple govt Police

opened fire in Baghdad 300-400 killed and wounded Dep PM Baban 2 ministers Speaker of parliament 30 MPs resigned Part of Wathba/Great Leap

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

Jan 27 Opposition called for end of Anglo-Iraq Treaty Dissolution of Parliament New elections PM

Jabr to resign

Jan 27 Regent demanded PM Jabr resign Regent made radio broadcast calling for calm Angered

Shiites in Amara and Basra who felt PM brought down by Sunnis 1st time PM brought down by protests

 

Jan 29 Sayid Mohammed al-Sadr became Iraq’s 2nd Shiite PM Opposition Istiqlal got 1 ministry

Ahrar refused to participate National Democratic Party not invited

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

Jan 29 Up to 100,000 marched in Baghdad for 15 students killed in protests against Anglo-Iraq

Treaty PM Sadr and most of cabinet took part Part of Wathba/Great Leap

 

Feb 2 New Sadr govt said it would not ratify the Anglo-Iraq Treaty 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty still in

effect

 

Feb 4 New Foreign Min Pachachi wrote London that new Anglo-Iraq Treaty rejected

 

Feb 22 Parliament rejected new Anglo-Iraq Treaty Then dissolved PM Sadr to form new govt

Opposition wanted to run and gain seats

 

Mar 18 Railway strike against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

 

Mar 30 Coup by Col Zaim in Syria believed to open door for Iraq-Syria unification Didn’t happen

Zaim turned out to be anti-Iraqi

 

Apr 4 Port of Basra strike against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

 

Apr 6 Port of Basra protest against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

 

Apr 14 2nd Railway strike against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

Apr 14 General Student Association formed and joined protests and strikes against Anglo-Iraq

Treaty

 

1948 ARAB-ISRAELI WAR

 

Apr 20 Operation Hametz began with Jewish forces attacking Arab villages held by

            Iraqi volunteers in 1st Arab-Israeli War

 

Apr 23 Kirkuk oil workers protested against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

 

Apr 28 Sheikh Ajeel of National Democratic Party killed by his uncle Sheikh Samarmard over

competition for parliamentary seat

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Apr 29 Battle of Katamon begins between Jewish forces attacking Iraqi volunteers and

            Arab Legion

 

Apr 30 Jewish forces took Jaffa, and 7 other towns held by Iraqi volunteers in 1st Arab

            Israeli War

 

May 1 Iraqi volunteers defeated by Jewish forces in Battle of Katamon Iraq would send 3,000

fighters for war in May

May 1 Chiefs of Staffs of Arab countries met and came up with general plan for war with Israel

Each country had own objectives however meaning each fought separately

 

May 2 Port of Basra protested against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

 

May 8 Gen Mahmoud cmdr Iraqi 1st Div met with King Hussein of Jordan to be informed of

situation in Palestine and make war preparations

 

May 12 Iraqi air force deployed to Transjordan for Arab-Israeli War

May 12 Armed clash between Independence Party and tribesmen loyal to Nuri al-Said and fmr PM

Jabr 5 dead 47 wounded

 

May 14 Arab-Israeli War broke out Iraq sent forces to Palestine Iraqi forced moved towards Jordan

River Took Rothenberg hydroelectric plant Captured 40 Israelis

May 14 Iraqi forces crossed Jordan River Shelled Kibbutz Gesher and bombed surrounding

area

May 14 Communists organized community protection groups to defend Jewish neighborhood as

Arab-Israeli War started

 

May 15 Kirkuk oil workers protested against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

May 15 2nd Iraqi unit crossed Jordan River Joined attack on Kibbutz Gesher

May 15 PM Sadr declared martial law due to growing pre-electoral violence Nuri al-Said and fmr

PM-Jabr used martial law to go after opposition

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

May 16 Iraqi attack upon Kibbutz Gesher failed

 

May 17 3rd Iraqi unit crossed Jordan River and moved towards Qawqab al-Hawa Forced to

retreat by Israelis then ordered out of area

 

May 18 Port of Basra protest against Anglo-Iraq Treaty

May 18 Iraqi air force bombed Israeli airfield

 

May 22 Iraqi army defeated in Battle of Gesher and retreated

May 22 Iraqi forces moved to Shechem area to make up for lack of Jordanian advances

 

May 23 Iraqi brigade attacked Kfar Yona-Netanya to try to split Palestine in 2 Cancelled due

to Iraqis being sent to block Israeli advance on Jenin

May 23 Istiqlal Party’s paper called for boycott of Jewish businesses over the 1948 Arab Israeli war

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

May 25 Iraqi forces took Geulim and reached Kfar Yona and Ein Vered Attacked Netanya

but failed Jordanians asked Iraqis to move to Tulkarm-Netanya sector

 

May 29 Battle of Jenin between Jewish and Iraqi forces started

 

Jun 1 Iraqi reinforcements arrived in Jenin Iraq sent another 15,000 volunteers to war

making it largest Arab force in conflict

 

Jun 2 Israelis attacked Jenin held by Iraqi forces

 

Jun 3 Another Iraqi unit arrived in Jenin Immediately sent into battle with Israelis Forced

Israelis to retreat from Jenin hills

 

Jun 4 Israelis counterattacked vs Iraqi forces in Jenin Iraqis held position Only victory in

war

 

Jun 5 Iraqi forces counterattacked in Qaqun which had just been taken by Israelis Failed

 

Jun 7 Opposition Istiqlal minister resigned over politicians interference in election

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Jun 11 Iraqis in Kafr Qassim attacked by Israelis

Jun 11 UN negotiated armistice in Arab-Israeli War Defense Min Bassam would go after Iraqi Jews

after war Movement restricted Barred from some govt posts Court martials used 1 leader executed for helping Israel

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Jun 12 Iraqis forced to retreat from Kafr Qassim by Israelis after armistice

 

Jun 15 Elections ended under martial law strict censorship of press concentration camps for

opponents violence and cheating Opposition National Democratic Party won 2 seats Independence Party 4 Liberal Party 1

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Jun 16 PM Sadr offered resignation to Regent after having carried out elections

 

Jun 19 Jewish businessman arrested for illegal trading with USSR Was released but had to pay

10,000 dinar fine to Defense Ministry Part of growing campaign against Iraqi Jews

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Jun 20 Istiqlal Party’s paper called for an eye for an eye against Iraqi Jews for the 1948 Arab Israeli

war

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Jun 21 Regent opened new parliament with speech saying PM Sadr was resigning

 

Jun 26 Muzahim al-Pachachi asked to become PM and form new govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Jun 29 PM Pachachi govt formed Maintained martial law using excuse of Arab-Israeli War Went

after opposition

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Jul 6 Iraqi air force attacked Israeli military base during armistice

Jul 6 Following Soviet orders Communist Party recognized formation of Israel 100s left party as a

result

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq A History Of The Iraqi Communist Party Interview With Univ of East Anglia’s Johan Franzen)

 

Jul 9 1st Arab-Israeli War restarted Iraqis took 7 Palestinian villages in Jenin area

 

Jul 15 Iraqi air force bombed Haifa and Israeli airfield

 

Jul 18 Iraqi air force ordered to find and destroy 3 Israeli B-17 bombers Couldn’t find them but

            bombed Israeli airfield

 

Aug 28 Jews forbidden to work in banking or foreign currency transactions after creation

            of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Sep 23 Shafiq Ades Jewish merchant in Basra hanged on accusation he smuggled weapons to

Palestine He sold scrap metal to Italy that re-sold it to Israel to make weapons Part of anti-Jewish feelings that spread after creation of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Sep 27 Defense Min Bassam resigned over ineffectiveness of Iraqi army in Palestine

 

Oct 8 Export-import licenses for Jewish businesses forbidden after creation of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Oct 19 All Jewish govt workers fired after creation of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Oct 27 Finance Min Mumtaz resigned when govt refused to get loans from Egypt and Intl Bank to

deal with financial crisis

 

Nov 30 Opposition National Democratic Party agreed to cease operating due to govt repression

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Dec 1 Opposition National Democratic Party and Ahrar said they suspended activities due to

martial law and press censorship

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Dec 2 Baghdad told oil companies they should not employ Jews after creation of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

1949

Jan 6 Student strikes started at College of Medicine Pharmaceutical College Law College in

Baghdad while protests started in Hillah Najaf Basra Kirkuk Sulaymaniya Communists played leading role

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

Jan 6 PM Pachachi resigned over disagreements over Palestine and opposition Regent named Nuri

al-Said PM for 6th of 9 times Told parliament his main job was dealing with Communists Went after National Democratic Party as well

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Feb 10 Communist Party Chairman Fahad and 2 politburo members put on trial 2nd time Convicted

and sentenced to death for leading protests Part of PM Said’s campaign against opposition

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Feb 14 Communist Chairman Farhad hanged by PM Said in public square in Baghdad to try to squash

opposition protests

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Feb 15 2 Communist politburo members hanged by PM Said in Baghdad public square to put down

protests

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Feb 19 PM Said said Jews had been mistreated in Iraq and warned that things could get

            worse for them due to Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Mar 8 US embassy report on Jewish immigration Said Iraqi govt would be against Jews leaving

because it would disrupt business and economy Said older Jewish religious leaders would not want to go to Palestine Business community split Zionists would want to go to Israel Others would want to stay in Iraq and maintain wealthy positions Young Jews and white collar workers would be interested in opportunities in Israel Iraqi Jews dismissed by government would probably want to leave too Warned if Israel expanded or acted aggressively situation for Iraqi Jews would worsen and lead more to go to Israel Believed Jewish immigration revolved around actions of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Mar 30 Coup in Syria revived Regent Ilah’s hopes of an Iraq-Syria union which would make him

king of Syria

 

Jun 23 Iraq and Persia signed agreement on mutual aid and good relations

 

Jul 14 2 reports by UK embassy in Baghdad to Foreign Office Est in 10 yrs 100,000 Palestinians

could be settled in Iraq but would require heavy investment in infrastructure in rural areas of the mid Euphrates Idea not welcomed by Palestinians or Iraq and UK had no money for development

 

Aug 14 Syrian Pres Zaim overthrown by military in coup backed by Iraq Regent Ilah thought this

opened door to Iraq-Syrian unity where he could become king of Syria

 

Sep 5 UK Foreign Office asked its MidEast embassies views on its idea to transfer 100,000

Palestinians to Iraq in return for 100,000 Iraqi Jews going to Israel Embassies said no support for idea

 

Oct 22 Zionists organized general strike of kosher butchers to try to force chief rabbi to resign because

wasn’t standing up to govt during wave of arrests of Jews following independence of Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Oct 25 Zionist general strike of kosher butchers led chief Rabbi Khadouri to protest to Dep PM

Nadhimi Demanded end to restrictions on Jewish travel Stop the dismissal of Jews from the bureaucracy End limits on Jews buying and selling property No more discrimination against Jewish businesses getting licenses Got no concessions Rabbi Khadouri then resigned

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Nov 5 PM Said resigned saying he had achieved his goals Was actually over dispute with Regent

over Iraq-Syria union which Said opposed Regent didn’t accept resignation

 

Nov 21 PM Said created Constitutional Union Party Dr Shawkat who was Said supporter created

Reform Party and joined Constitution Party Was part of Said’s plan to create one party state Couldn’t get opposition to agree

 

Dec 1 PM Said asked Regent to resign 2nd time Said he accomplished his goals

 

Dec 10 Regent accepted PM Said’s resignation Said he accomplished what he set out to do to

curb Communists and opposition Jawadat asked to become PM for 2nd of 3 times New govt included Justice Min from National Democratic Party

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Dec 17 PM Jawadat ended martial law Started in 1948 to deal with opposition

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Dec 19 2nd coup in Syria that year Ended Iraq-Syria unity talks

 

1950

Jan 7 British memo said Iraqi Military Mission in Damascus was preparing for coup in

            Damascus to join Iraq and Syria

(Musings On Iraq review of Ropes Of Sand that includes Iraq plots against Syria)

 

Jan 30 Iraq-Egypt signed draft agreement to stay out of Syrian internal affairs until country

stabilized after series of coups Cabinet refused agreement Regent angry over deal and asked PM Jawadat to resign

 

Feb 5 Tawfiq Suwaidi became PM 3rd time 5 of 11 ministers were Shiites

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review My Memoirs, Half a Century of the History of Iraq and the Arab Cause)

 

Mar 2 Interior Min Jabr introduced bill to allow Jews to leave Iraq if gave up nationality

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Mar 4 Denaturalization law allowed Jews to leave Iraq Govt thought only 10,000 Jews would leave

113,000 left

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Mar 7 Opposition MPs left parliament claiming they were being silenced in assembly

            Were hoping to cause protests and bring down PM Suwaidi’s govt but failed

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Mar 8 105,000 Iraqi Jews registered to immigrate to Israel Almost 40,000 had already

            immigrated under new govt law allowing immigration

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

 

Apr 8 During Passover grenade thrown at Jewish coffee shop in Baghdad seriously injuring 4 Done

by underground Zionist group sent by Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Apr 11 Iraq Development Board created Would use increased oil revenue on large development

projects that mostly helped landed elite

(Musings On Iraq review The Industrialization of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review The Making of Iraq 1900-1963, Capital, Power and Ideology)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki More Like Premier Nuri al-Sa’id Than Saddam? An Interview With Historian Phebe Marr)

 

May 20 1st flight of Near East Air Transport Took Iraqi Jews to Israel Airline was owned

by Jewish Agency who worked to get Jews to move to Israel When Israel created Iraqi govt banned immigration Mar 1950 govt allowed temporary immigration for one year

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

(Musings On Iraq New Babylonians, A History Of Jews In Modern Iraq)

May 20 Note from Lebanese Amb in Baghdad to Syrian Foreign Minister Bey said Iraq

            wanted to seize Syria

(Musings On Iraq review of Ropes Of Sand)

 

Jun 3 Grenade attack in Jewish neighborhood of Baghdad Done by underground Zionist group sent

by Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Jun 5 UK ambassador to Iraq wrote Foreign Office no support for its idea to send 100,000

Palestinians to Iraq in return for 100,000 Iraqi Jews being sent to Israel

 

Jul 15 Cabinet resigned when PM Suwaidi complained his brother not appointed head of

Cassation Court Stayed in office because Regent out of country and couldn’t call for new govt

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Aug 21 Nuri al-Said threatened to revoke license of transport company if didn’t fill

            quota of shipping 500 Jews out of Iraq per day

 

Sep 15 Nuri al-Said became PM 7th of 9 times Said said his goal was large development projects

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review of ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Sep 18 PM Said threatened to expel Jews from Iraq over Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Last Days in Babylon, The Exile of Iraq’s Jews, the Story of My Family)

 

Dec 13 Sunni politician told UK Amb Mack whenever new govt position created had to be 1 for a

Sunni 1 for a Shiite to maintain Sunni dominance of govt

 

1951

Jan 14 Grenade thrown at Baghdad synagogue 9 killed Might’ve been done by underground Zionist

group sent by Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Mar 10 PM Said passed Law No 5 Govt would confiscate all property of Jews who’d signed up to

leave Iraq Impoverished thousands of Jews Took up to 6 months for Jews to leave Iraq

 

Mar 14 Grenade hit American Cultural Center in Baghdad wounding some Jewish visitors Might’ve

been done by underground Zionist group sent by Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Mar 19 Grenade hit US information office in Baghdad Might’ve been done by underground Zionist

group sent by Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

May 10 Jewish car dealership bombed Might’ve been done by underground Zionist group sent by

Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

May 22 Two Zionists arrested who revealed underground group in Baghdad By end of 1951 almost

100 had been arrested and accused of bombing Jewish community

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Jun 5 Grenade hit Jewish car dealership in Baghdad Might’ve been done by underground Zionist

group sent by Israel

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Jun 26 Govt announced it discovered underground Zionist group in Baghdad led by two Israeli

officers Were blamed for spate of attacks from 1950-51 on Jewish and US targets in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Jul 17 Iraq made last payment to Turkey of oil revenues in return for giving up claims to

            Mosul after WWI

 

Aug 13 PM Said signed deal with Iraq Petroleum Company to split pre-tax profits 50-50 with

            Iraqi govt

 

Nov 5 Iraqi court found 15 of underground Zionist group in Baghdad guilty of 1950-51

bombings of Jewish and US targets 2 given death sentence

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

1952

Jan 20 2 members of underground Zionist group hung in Baghdad to a large crowd Blamed for

bombings of Jewish sites

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Jews, A History of Mass Exodus)

 

Feb 5 PM Said negotiated new deal with Iraq Petroleum Company Created equal profit sharing 12%

share of production to Iraq Employment of Iraqis in high level jobs Scholarship to send 50 Iraqi students to England

 

Feb 19 General strike by opposition against new oil agreement with Iraqi Petroleum Company

Police shot at crowd Mass arrests Students dismissed from colleges

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Jul 10 PM Said resigned after Regent told him a caretaker govt should be formed to hold new

elections

 

Jul 12 Mustafa al-Umari became PM on suggestion of Nuri al-Said Dissolved parliament and

announced new elections

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Aug 23 Communist led strike at Basra port over pay Broken up by police Started year of

            protests against Regent

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Oct 26 Baghdad Pharmacy College strike over exams Would lead to protests against monarchy 

 

Oct 28 Opposition United Popular Front National Democratic Party Independent Party sent petition

to Regent Demanded he stay out of politics Give political freedoms Start direct elections

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

Oct 28 Royal palace said reforms necessary Regent said he would accept advice on matter

 

Nov 2 PM Umari rejected political reforms Opposition boycotted elections as a result

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Nov 3 Regent met with political leaders Nuri al-Said Salih Jabr Taha al-Hashemi Kamil Chadirchi

Mohammed Mahdi Kubba and most of the former PMs over new elections which opposition threatened to boycott Hashemi blamed Regent for Iraq’s problems Regent called him a liar and politicians were at fault Hashemi and National Democratic Party implied Regent might meet same fate as king of Egypt who was overthrown in 1952

 

Nov 6 Nuri al-Said’s Constitutional Union Party said accepted direct elections but over time

Voting was controlled by senior politicians like Said who picked most winners

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Nov 16 PM Umari said he supported direct elections Voting was controlled by senior politicians

who picked candidates and most winners

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Nov 17 Opposition parties agreed to coordinating committee to lead strikes Started Intifada against

            Regent

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

Nov 17 PM Umari talked with political parties asking them to nominate people for committee to

draft new election law to allow direct elections All said no except Nuri al-Said

 

Nov 19 Pharmacy College students ended strike over new requirements set by dean for those that

flunked 4 men came on campus and beat up students They blamed dean

 

Nov 20 Pharmacy College students went back on strike after beatings Demanded govt investigate

attack Opposition parties joined protest Demanded elections and reforms

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Nov 22 Intifada Baghdad protests against Regent and UK led by Communists Joined by opposition

Turned into riots Attacked US Info Service offices Burned Iraq Times paper building offices of British airlines and 2 police stations Clashes with police led to 1 dead 52 wounded PM Umari resigned

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

Nov 22 Protests and riots against monarchy spread from Baghdad to Karbala Najaf Hilla Diwaniya

Basra Nasiriya

Nov 22 Regent asked Nuri al-Said Jamil Midfai Hikmat Sulaiman to form govt All declined Led PM

Umari to resign

Nov 22 Army said it couldn’t put down protests without using live ammo

Nov 22 Regent picked army chief of staff Gen Mahmoud to be PM and put down protests using

force

 

Nov 23 Students in Baghdad protested against monarchy Police station burned Police shot at crowd

leaving 12 casualties Crowd then killed policeman Burned his body Different part of Baghdad police shot at crowd Killed 12 Crowd started fires and throwing Molotov cocktails at police 1 police killed

Nov 23 Gen Mahmoud became PM Formed new military govt and declared martial law to put down

protests Suspended newspapers Banned protests Withdrew license of parties and unions Closed colleges Intifada Police stations and US Info Library in Baghdad burned Clashes with army killed 12 wounded 25

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

Nov 23 Cmdr 3rd Div Gen Rubaie contacted Free Officers about using Intifada protests to overthrow

monarchy Thwarted by pro-monarchy officers

 

Nov 24 Soldiers opened fire on protests against Regent killing 18 and wounding 84 during

Intifada Led to riots Mass arrests and raids Eventually 3,000 arrested including 220 opposition members Military ordered opposition parties to dissolve

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

Nov 24 Protests in Baghdad Basra Najaf Karbala Hilla Diwaniya Kut Amara Called for PM

Mahmoud to resign and National Democratic Party leader Chadirchi to form govt

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

Nov 24 PM Mahmoud announced reform program and said he wanted direct elections

 

Nov 27 Opposition including Communists agreed on united front to boycott elections

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Dec 13 Army withdrawn from streets to put down protests

 

Dec 15 PM Mahmoud govt issued royal order that allowed for direct elections

 

Dec 16 New election law passed for direct voting Before senior politicians picked most winners

Elections still controlled

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

1953

Jan 17 1st direct elections held 77 of 135 seats in parliament set aside for political parties Only 58

elected Fmr PM Jabr boycotted vote and some opposition parties boycotted Afterward Jabr’s People’s Socialist Party claimed Regent rigged vote Nuri al-Said followers won majority

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Jan 29 Jamil al-Midfai became PM for 5th time

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

May 2 King Faisal II became of age to directly rule Iraq replacing Regent al-Ilah

 

Sep 17 Mohammed al-Jamali became PM Was a Shiite Cabinet included Kurdish Interior Minister 7

Shiites most ever and ministers from opposition United Popular Front and Independence Party Presented land and civil service reform which parliament rejected Landowners blocked land reform MPs blocked civil service reform accusing Jamali of sectarianism

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Statesman, A portrait of Mohammed Fadhel Jamali)

(Musings On Iraq review Relations Of The People to The Land In Southern Iraq)

 

Oct 5 PM Jamali legalized political parties

 

1954

Jan 28 PM Jamali ended martial law imposed Nov 1953

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Statesman, A portrait of Mohammed Fadhel Jamali)

 

Mar 8 PM Jamali formed 2nd cabinet with Qazzaz a Kurd the Interior Minister

 

Apr 21 PM Jamali resigned over disagreement with Nuri al-Said about Syrian elections

Jamali wanted to influence vote with propaganda Said thought that waste of money Jamali also accused of being pro-Shiite

(Musings On Iraq review of Ropes Of Sand)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraqi Statesman, A portrait of Mohammed Fadhel Jamali)

Apr 21 Iraq-US military agreement Coordinated with British on deal London afraid US might

usurp it in Iraq

 

Apr 29 Arshad al-Umari became PM for 2nd time after Nuri al-Said turned down position 1922-58

were 59 cabinets

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

May 9 Iraq and Syria met to discuss unification Never happened

 

May 12 National Front formed from National Democratic Party and Independence Party Called

for civil liberties Cancellation of Anglo-Iraq Treaty Closure of UK bases Cancellation of oil concessions

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Jun 9 Regent dissolved parliament and new elections held Regent wanted to break Said’s control of

parliament Opposition of Communists Baathists National Democratic Party formed united front to run in election but interference from govt meant only got 11 seats Opposition claimed fraud Did end Said’s majority

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Jun 10 Police fired on demonstrators in Baghdad organized by opposition parties

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Jun 17 PM Umari resigned Thought he couldn’t control opposition and get new Anglo-Iraq Treaty

passed Wasn’t accepted until Jul

 

Jun 26 New parliament met 1st and only time because suspended afterward by Nuri al-Said so he

could negotiate Baghdad Pact without opposition in parliament

 

Jun 27 New parliament suspended after only 1 meeting by Nuri al-Said Wouldn’t meet again until

Nov 1954

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

 

Jul 3 Prince Ilah gave into Nuri al-Said’s demands to be PM again Included new cabinet new

elections opposition parties banned Ilah gave up on his Syrian policy

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Jul 16 Regent asked Nuri al-Said to form new govt Agreed to dissolve parliament Started issuing

laws without parliament to crackdown on opposition unions protesters

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Aug 2 Regent asked Nuri al-Said to be Iraq’s PM 8th of 9 times Immediately went after opposition

Deported and took away citizenship from leaders Outlawed joining Peace Partisans and Democratic Youth Banned unions in govt offices Police could ban any meetings 

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Aug 4 PM Said sent letter to King Ghazi asking for parliament to be dissolved and new elections

held Dissolved all political parties Revoked press licenses

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

 

Aug 14 Interior Min closed 15 papers and magazines in Baghdad Part of PM Said’s crackdown on

political freedoms

 

Sep 1 PM Said started crackdown on opposition Amended Penal Code to deal with Communists

and leftists Cabinet given power to convict anyone of Communism and association Could withdraw citizenship and deport them Cabinet could disband any group that was a threat to public order

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review A People’s History Of Iraq, The Iraqi Communist Party, Workers’ Movements, and the Left 1924-2004)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Sep 12 New parliamentary elections held Candidates opposed to PM Said told to drop out 116

MPs ran unopposed PM Said’s followers won 121 of 135 seats Was only voting in 10 districts in Baghdad Basra Sulaymaniya Ensured PM Said of govt he wanted so he could sign Baghdad Pact New cabinet banned political parties Put associations under govt control Restricted teacher and student activities Limited freedom of the press and assembly Campaigning limited

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Sep 23 Interior Min closed 37 papers and magazines Part of PM Said’s crackdown on political

freedoms

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Dec 15 PM Said said Iraq would end unpopular 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty in 1957

 

1955

Jan 26 Radio Cairo called on Iraqis to follow Portsmouth Treaty riots overthrow PM Said and

withdraw from Iraq-Turkey security agreement

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

 

Jan 27 Radio Cairo called on King Faisal II to withdraw Iraq from Iraq-Turkey security agreement

Accused PM Said of turning over Iraq to Israel and imperialists

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

 

Feb 24 Iraq signed security treaty with Turkey which Would become anti-Communist Baghdad

Pact

 

Mar 24 PM Said renegotiated deal with Iraq Petroleum Company increasing revenues for govt and

expanding pipelines and pumping facilities to increase exports

 

Apr 1 PM Said announced 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty would be terminated Said new Anglo-Iraq

treaty would be signed Apr 4 Air bases would be turned over to Iraqi control

 

Apr 4 UK signed agreement to replace 1930 Anglo-Iraq Treaty Iraq got control of Habaniya and

Shaiba air bases UK would come to aid of Iraq in time of war and continue arming Iraqi army

 

Apr 5 UK joined Iraq-Turkey agreement that became anti-Communist Baghdad Pact PM Said

didn’t inform parliament

 

Sep 23 Pakistan and Iran joined Iraq UK Turkey agreement Became anti-Communist Baghdad Pact

 

Nov 3 Pakistan joined Iraq, Turkey, England, Iran security agreement that became Baghdad Pact

            Egypt’s Nasser opposed deal Started cold war between Nasser and PM Said

 

Nov 21 1st meeting of Iraq UK Turkey Iran Pakistan Baghdad Pact Nasser constantly attacked Iraq

and Nuri al-Said for creation of Pact

 

Dec 29 National Democratic Party and Independence Party sent note to King Faisal II Said Iraq

was out of touch with rest of Arab world that was moving towards independence and away from foreign control Response to Iraq joining UK led Baghdad Pact

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

1956

Jan 8 Interior Minister announced conspiracy against govt by Egypt Based upon evidence

Egypt involved in bombings of Turkish embassy in Baghdad and assassination attempt on PM Said

 

Jun 16 Opposition National Democratic Party and Independence Party applied for licenses as

National Congress Party but denied

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review The Other Iraq, Pluralism and Culture in Hashemite Iraq)

 

Jul 26 Nasser nationalized Suez Canal Company PM Said Prince Ilah King Faisal II in London

dining with PM Eden He said Nasser would be hit hard Said said Nasser deserved that

 

Sep 20 PM Said put Iraqi forces along Jordanian border claiming he was prepared to save Amman

from Communism Was really to overthrow govt unfriendly to Iraq backed by Egypt Syria and Saudi Arabia

 

Oct 13 PM Said cancelled plans for military intervention in Jordan to overthrow unfriendly govt

to Iraq

 

Nov 1 Martial Law declared in Iraq to deal with protests over Suez Crisis Were riots in Baghdad

Najaf Mosul Kut Samawa Kirkuk led by Communists and Baathists Army had to be sent to Mosul and Najaf to support police

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq Under General Nuri, My Recollections of Nuri al-Said, 1954-1958)

 

Nov 2 Protests in Baghdad in support of Nasser during Suez Crisis Police fired into crowd 3 killed

 

Nov 3 Protests in Baghdad in support of Nasser during Suez Crisis Communists came out in numbers

Police fired at crowd 1 killed Started new round of protests across Iraq

 

Nov 5 Encouraged by Egypt and Syria along with Communists and opposition parties protests

strikes and riots broke out in Baghdad Mosul Najaf over Suez crisis

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Nov 11 Communists issued manifesto saying violence might be necessary for Iraq’s

circumstances

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

Nov 13 Was protest in Najaf against govt Included many clerics

 

Nov 14 Clashes between police and protesters in Najaf against govt 7 killed

 

Nov 15 Killing of 2 students day before led to strike by clerics and shops in Najaf

 

Nov 21 Police put down demonstration in support of Egypt in Suez Crisis Several students killed

PM Said closed all schools and colleges in Baghdad

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Dec 17 PM Said speech said Iraq had always fought vs Communism Zionism and France Said Iraq

was only country truly committed to pan-Arabism Criticized those that supported current Arab states because they were created by imperialism

 

Dec 21 Communist uprising in Al-Hay put down and leaders executed

(Musings On Iraq review The Modern History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

 

1957

Jan 5 Iraq backed Eisenhower Doctrine to oppose communism in Middle East

 

Feb 13 PM Said told US Amb with OK of Washington and London Iraq would invade Syria and

overthrow govt that was opening to USSR

 

Jun 8 PM Said resigned

 

Jun 15 PM Nuri al-Said made cover of Time magazine

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Jun 18 Ali Jawadat became PM 3rd time Continued with anti-Communist pro-Western foreign policy

of PM Said

 

Oct 12 Meeting at Ayatollah Muhsin Hakim’s house founding Dawa Party

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Lowy Institution’s Shanahan on history of the Dawa Party)

(Musings On Iraq review The Shi’ite Movement in Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review Shi’ism and Social Protest)

 

Dec 14 Abdul-Wahab Mirjan became PM Was Shiite landowner and follower of Nuri al-Said Cabinet

included 3 Kurdish ministers Mostly Nuri al-Said supporters

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

1958

Feb 1 Jordan called for confederation with Iraq and could include Kuwait

Feb 1 Egypt and Syria created United Arab Republic PM Said afraid pan-Arabists

would overthrow his govt so Iraq could join Republic Syria suggested union with Egypt out of fear that Iraq was trying to forge coup or overthrow govt and take over country

(Musings On Iraq review of Ropes Of Sand that includes Iraq plots against Syria)

(Musings On Iraq review Killing Hope, U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II)

 

Feb 11 Jordan began talks with Iraq for a federation in response to Egypt and Syria’s

            United Arab Republic

 

Feb 14 Iraq and Jordan announced Arab Federation in response to Egypt and Syria’s

            United Arab Republic Kuwait asked to join but said no

 

Mar 2 PM Mirjan resigned to allow Nuri al-Said to become PM again Hold elections and pass Iraq-

Jordan union

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

 

Mar 3 Nuri al-Said became PM 9th time Held new elections where he picked winners so he had

pliant parliament Cabinet was almost half Shiite and included 2 Kurdish ministers

(Musings On Iraq review A History of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq review ‘Independent Iraq’ The Monarchy & British Influence, 1941-1958)

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq’s Democratic Moment)

(Musings On Iraq review Independent Iraq 1932-1958, A Study in Iraqi Politics)

(Musings On Iraq interview with Historian Phebe Marr comparing PM Said with PM Maliki)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Apr 13 196 officers arrested for plotting coup

 

May 12 Parliament ratified Arab Hashemite Union with Jordan

 

May 19 Ahmad Baban became PM Was a Kurd Nuri al-Said became PM of Hashemite Union with

Jordan

(Musings On Iraq review The Chatham House Version and other Middle-Eastern Studies)

 

Jul 4 Gen Qasim met with 7 of the 14 members of the Central Organization of Free Officers and

approved for he and Col Arif to move on Baghdad and overthrow monarchy

 

Jul 12 Communist party members were warned that something big was going to happen in

anticipation of Free Officers’ Coup that overthrew monarchy

(Musings On Iraq review Red Star Over Iraq, Iraqi Communism Before Saddam)

(Musings On Iraq Interview with Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Jul 13 Col Arif gained control of 20th Brigade and began march towards Baghdad from

            Diyala to start 1958 coup

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

 

Jul 14 Free Officers led 1958 coup overthrowing King Faisal II and Iraq’s monarchy

Jul 14 Gen Qasim became head of state King Faisal II and family were killed

(Musings On Iraq review Three Kings In Baghdad, The Tragedy Of Iraq’s Monarchy)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki More Like Premier Nuri al-Sa’id Than Saddam? An Interview With Historian Phebe Marr)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

Jul 14 Communists had been in contact with Free Officers Called out its followers to demonstrate in

streets of Baghdad to support coup

Jul 14 Pro-coup crowds destroyed statue of UK Gen Maude who took Baghdad during WWI Set fire

to UK embassy Tore down statue of King Faisal I Sacked royal palace Dug up body of King Faisal II

 

Jul 15 Deposed PM Nuri al-Said executed by Free Officers His body was later dug up, hung and

burned in Baghdad streets Regents body taken from royal palace Mutilated Dragged through Baghdad streets

(Musings On Iraq review Three Kings In Baghdad, The Tragedy Of Iraq’s Monarchy)

(Musings On Iraq Is Iraq’s Prime Minister Maliki More Like Premier Nuri al-Sa’id Than Saddam? An Interview With Historian Phebe Marr)

(Musings On Iraq Revolutionary Times, Gen. Qasim And Iraq’s 1958 Coup, Interview With Western Kentucky’s Prof. Juan Romero)

Jul 15 Gen Qasim declared state of emergency to stop mobs

Jul 15 Egypt sent 2 squadrons of MiGs to Syria to protect Iraqi coup if necessary

 

No comments:

Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?

Israel appears to be making its final diplomatic moves before striking at Iraq for 12 months of attacks by Iraq’s Islamic Resistance.