Sunday, April 12, 2026

This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 12 Gertrude Bell wrote that Shiite clergy were all Persians and should be deported for issuing fatwas not to help UK defend Mosul against Turkey


1915 Battle of Shaiba began in Basra Ottomans and tribesmen launched frontal assault upon

fortress despite German advisers warning against it British artillery decimated Ottoman forces

Saturday, April 11, 2026

This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 11 Sec Def Rumsfeld said “Stuff happens” to try to explain looting after US invasion of Iraq



  

1915 Ottomans and tribesmen began probing attack upon British outpost in Shaiba, Basra to try to

expel UK forces from vilayet

Friday, April 10, 2026

This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 10 Sadrists killed Sayid Abdul Majid al-Khoei Surrounded Ayatollah Sistani’s house in Najaf Driven off by tribesmen


 

1917 US consulate report Economy in Baghdad collapsing after British took city Trade cut off No

business

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Iran War Day 40: Ceasefire In Iraq But No Economic Relief With Strait Of Hormuz Still Closed


  

The ceasefire between the United States and Iran brought back a sense of peace to Iraq. The Resistance following its Persian sponsors announced a two week halt to operations.

This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 9 Baghdad fell during the 2003 invasion


 

1915 New UK cmdr in Iraq Gen Nixon arrived Ordered to take all of Basra Secure Tigris to protect

Anglo-Persian Oil Company in Persia Plan for advance on Baghdad 1st step in escalating war from protecting oil concession to taking all of Mesopotamia

(Musings On Iraq review Enemy On The Euphrates, The Battle For Iraq 1914-1921)

(Musings On Iraq review Iraq In World War I, From Ottoman Rule to British Conquest)

(Musings On Iraq review When God Made Hell, The British Invasion of Mesopotamia and the Creation of Iraq, 1914-1921)

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Iran War Day 39: Explosions Across Baghdad


  

The news of the day was a series of strikes by the U.S. and Israel across Baghdad. The Federal Police’s 2nd Division was hit in Sabi al-Bour in the north. This was likely a mistake as a nearby Hashd base was also struck. Five police were wounded. A rocket landed on a house in Amiriya killing two civilians while an airstrike blew up a home on Palestine Street. The latter was used to store weapons for the Resistance. Jets also targeted locations in Jamila and Maghreb Street in the east. Five Hashd were wounded at a camp in Taji outside of the city in the north.

This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 8 France approved Sykes-Picot agreement Baghdad and Basra vilayets would go to UK Mosul to France Independent Arab state would also be created under UK-French influence


1915 PM Asquith ordered committee created to determine which parts of Ottoman Empire

UK should get Would lead to creation of Iraq

(Musings On Iraq review U.S. Policy In Post-Saddam Iraq)

Iraq Reportedly Sidelined In Trump Administration Leads To Rote Policy Decisions

   Al Mada reported that Iraq has slipped into the background for the Trump administration. That has led the U.S. to rely upo...