Rise of Independent Iraq

Pro-Communist Leanings (1958-63): Dissent existed throughout the ranks of the revolutionaries after overthrowing the monarch, as no cohesive ideology rose to the surface. The pro-communist side won out over the course of the early days of the new republic, instituting a socialistic government, and leaving the pan-Arab supporters somewhat disenchanted (those desiring a unified Arab state spanning the Mid-East). The new republic nationalized the Iraqi Petro Co., vastly increasing national revenue by confiscating shares from western companies that previously dominated the Iraqi oil industry.

(Timeline Continued Below)

Note: Chemical Warfare Training in Early 1960s. Iraqi army officers were trained by the US and USSR in chemical warfare.

Kurds Rise to Prominence in Northern Iraq (1958 - 61): The communist leanings of Qasim (first President of independent Iraq) tended to align him with the Kurds, who were consequently appointed to some of the most prominent positions in the military and government. In 1960-61, Qasim attempted to reduce communist influence and power in his government, resulting in backlash from the communist factions, including the Kurds in particular. This led to Kurd rebellions in the north.

Kuwaiti Independence (1961): Kuwait gained independence from the UK, but Iraq claimed sovereignty over it, further isolating Iraq diplomatically. Iraq’s claim was based on the fact that Kuwait was administered out of Basra during the Ottoman Empire, making it technically part of the Iraq province, although it had essentially operated independently from the Ottoman Empire (under British control) since 1775. The UK sent troops to dissuade Iraq from assuming control over Kuwait. Iraq conceded, and acknowledged the independence of Kuwait in 1963.

Ba'athist Party Briefly Gains Control (1963): The pro- pan-Arab nationalist group overthrew Qasim as all of his support had faltered. After taking power in Iraq in 1963, the party proved fractured and lacking clear direction. The Ba’athists had very little representation in the army, and therefore created the paramilitary force of the National Guard, largely consisting of Ba’athists, but his further disenchanted the Iraqi army.

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Pan-Arabist Arif Rises to Presidency backed by Military (1963): The military did not trust the Ba'athists, so they hand-picked Arif to lead the new government, which would remain beholdened to the generals. Arif was a former Ba'athist, but abandonded the party when it began to falter.

Arif Troubles (1964-65): Arif had a falling apart with Nasser (President of Egypt and most prominent pan-Arab nationalist) and Nasser disciples within the Iraqi government, when the merger of Egypt and Iraq failed to materialize. Nasser advocates attempted a coup in 1965, which failed. Arif also tried to introduce more civilians into positions of power, to reduce the military's domination of his regime, further eroding his popularity.

Kurds Gain Additional Concessions (1965): Unable to defeat the Kurdish insurrection, the military-dominated Arif government ceded major concessions to the Kurdish people, including proportionate representation in government, as well as cultural and language protection.

Death of Arif (1966): Arif was killed in a helicopter crash. He was succeeded by his brother, a Major General in the army, who was also installed by the military, which still dominated Iraqi politics. The government regressed deeper toward military authoritarianism.

Concessions to Kurds Repealed (1966): President Arif was killed in a helicopter crash. He was succeeded by his brother, a Major General in the army who was installed by the military as the replacement. Under the new regime, many of the concessions yielded to the Kurds were rescinded, and Kurds were pressured out of key government positions, kick starting renewed Kurdish rebellions.

Ba'ath Party Retakes Control of Iraq (1968): Public support of the military-led Arif regime eroded after the Six-Day War of 1967, where Israel achieved a resounding victory over an Arab coalition which was not joined by Iraq. The Arab coalition consisted of Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Israel forces obtained large tracts of Arab land in their triumph, which deeply angered the Iraqi public, who resented the Arif regime which stood by idly as this happened. This ripened the government for a second Ba’athist coup in 1968. The Ba’athists were more organized this time around, with tentacles more deeply entrenched into the various agencies, including the military. Most of the top brass were from Tikrit and surrounding areas, and many were related to Bakr, the leader of the Iraqi Ba'ath Party, including Saddam Hussein, a prominent member of the party. Bakr was the figurehead with the experience and credibility in Iraqi politics to keep the nation under Ba'athist rule. Saddam Hussein quickly rose to second in command, carrying out operations covertly to keep the party in power.

Failed Coup Attempt Against Ba'athists (1968): Just a few months later, a coup was attempted by a coalition of opposing groups, representing various agendas and ideologies amongst themselves. This fragmented effort was unsuccessful, and gave the Ba’athists justification to carry out a brutal house cleaning, removing and executing many perceived to be unfriendly of the new regime.

Note: Emergence of Chemical Warfare Program (1968). The Ba’athists resumed the chemical warfare program after retaking power. Mostly unsuccessful during the 1960s and 70s.

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Further Understanding: Ba'ath Party Origins

It was founded in the 1940s by two Syrian students, as a pro, pan-Arab movement with the objective of unifying Arabs throughout the Mid-East into a single, powerful Arab nation-state. Fundamental to this goal was to minimize western influence in the region, which had dominated the Arab world since WWI. The party gained traction in Syria, and then spread to Iraq. The Ba'athists first came to power in Syria, and then in Iraq a few months later in 1963. It would eventually split into rival organizations, with the Syrian party maintaining power to this day, and the Iraqi party briefly in 1963, and then from 1968-2003, collapsing with the removal of Saddam Hussein from power.

Ba'ath Party Offers Autonomy to Kurds (1970): After the Ba'ath Party siezed control, Saddam Hussein negotiated another peace settlement with the Kurds in 1970 in order to pacify Kurdish revolts. The Kurds were given greater autonomy (self rule), which included allowing the Kurds their own standing army.

Many Shi'a Expelled (1971): 70,000 Iraqi Shi’a were expelled under accusations of conspiring with Iran against Iraq. The Ba'athist regime also took possession of the exiles' properties.

Note: Ba'athist Intelligence Network. Under Bakr and Hussein, the Ba’athists created vast, sophisticated intelligence networks and a 50,000-man militia. As their authority solidified throughout all sects and circles within Iraq, the power remained in the hands of the Ba'athist elite, most being related to Bakr/Hussein, with ties to the Tikrit region.

Restoration of Diplomatic Relations (1973): Iraq participates with fellow Arab nations in the October War against Israel. Under the Ba’athists, Iraq became diplomatically connected to its Arab neighbors (Jordan and Syria) and world powers once again (US and USSR). It also made an uneasy peace with Iran.

Further Understanding: Increasing Economic Health

Iraqi wealth redistribution plans pacified and somewhat unified an Iraqi nation that was typically fractured along many different lines. Peace and prosperity flourished, thanks to socialistic programs and growing wealth from the sharp inclines in oil prices throughout the 1970s. Increasing state control over the oil industry further added to the prosperity of Iraq. Saddam carefully orchestrated social programs so they were tied to Ba’athist party members, fostering widespread acceptance of the Ba’athist regime. For the first time, it appeared that Iraq was a unified, cohesive regime.

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Kurds Defeat Iraqi Army (1974): The Ba’ath government tried to undermine Kurdish hegemony to the north, by attempting (and failing) to assassinate their leader (Barzani). This led to all out warfare between the Kurds and the Iraqi army. The Kurds received support from Iran (mostly by providing weaponry). The Kurds defeated Iraqi forces. As a result, Hussein was forced to enter a temporary peace treaty with the Kurds offering even greater autonomy.

French-Built Nuclear Reactor (1975): Saddam had previously procured a nuclear reactor and other related equipment from the USSR. The Soviets refused to build the atomic power station Saddam requested unless Iraq agreed to be regulated by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which Saddam refused. The French then agreed to help Iraq build the atomic power station, while also selling uranium to Iraq.

Saddam Weakens the Kurds (1976): Saddam Hussein attempted to destabilize the Kurds by destroying their settlements along the Iranian border, and resettling Arabs in Kurd lands and visa versa. Saddam hoped to dilute the Kurdish stronghold in the north. This reignited the Kurdish rebellions once again. But the Kurdish resistance became splintered into various factions, weakening their effort due to infighting. With a break down in Kurdish solidarity, the rebellion would remain contained within Iraqi-Kurdistan.

Iraq Replaced Egypt as Leader of Arab World (1978): Egypt signed the Camp David Accords with Israel, agreeing to disputed Gaza and West Bank borders. This upset most of the Arab world, marginalizing Egypt. Iraq stepped up to replace Egypt as the leader in the Arab world, by coming to the forefront to advocate the Arab Palestinian cause, while funding insurgency efforts.

Saddam Hussein Rises to Presidency (1979): Hussein had long run the Iraqi Republic and the ruling Ba’athist party from behind the scenes, but in 1979, Bakr finally resigned officially, due to advancing age and other personal/family problems. Hussein then moved into the official role as President, a mere formality as there was never any serious question who would take Bakr’s place.

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Note: Iraq provides support to insurgency in Gaza and West Bank against Israel.

Peak of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Program (1980s): With war against Iran imminent, Saddam made chemical/biological warfare a high priority, hiring German companies to build equipment and facilities. During the 80s, German companies also helped Iraq get closer to becoming a nuclear power, providing additional equipment, materials and expertise, with assistance from Egyptian scientists. The Iraqi government created a pesticide company to serve as a front for their emerging WMD venture, which was developed under the guise of this pesticide company, located in Samarra. The program blossomed throughout the 80s. Production continued until the end of the Iraq-Iran War in 1988, when it was stopped. R&D continued beyond 1988, but production transitioned to consumer products, such as shampoo. During the 80s, many western companies and governments aided in the Iraqi WMD program, in order to help Iraq subdue Iran. Governments that aided and abetted Iraq's WMD program included the UK, France, US, Italy and many others.

Osirak Reactor Bombed by Israel (1981): The French-built nuclear reactor was bombed and destroyed by Israeli bombers. Consequently, the reactor never became operational.

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Next: Iran-Iraq War (1980 - 1988)

Previous: British-Controlled Monarchy in Iraq (1917 - 1958)

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