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Rashid Ali al-Gaylani
Person page: Rashid Ali al-Gaylani →
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(08)
1941
April
01
The Iraqi coup d’état
On 1 April 1941 the colonels of the “Golden Square” overthrew the pro-British government and regent Abd al-Ilah in Baghdad. Rashid Ali al-Gaylani took power.
18
The British land at Basra
On 18 April 1941 the 20th Indian Infantry Brigade landed at Basra; the day before, aircraft had begun flying a British infantry battalion into Shaibah.
30
The Iraqi siege of Habbaniya
On 30 April 1941 Iraqi troops occupied the plateau above the British air base at Habbaniya and demanded that flying stop. The base was under siege.
May
02
The Anglo-Iraqi War begins
At dawn on 2 May 1941 training aircraft from Habbaniya and Wellingtons from Shaibah struck the Iraqis above the base. Within five days the siege collapsed.
12
The USSR recognises Rashid Ali’s government
On 12 May 1941 the Soviet Union recognised Rashid Ali al-Gaylani’s government, then ten days into its war with Britain – a gesture by Stalin towards Berlin.
17
The Battle of Fallujah
On 19 May 1941 British troops from Habbaniya took the Euphrates bridge at Fallujah, opening the road to Baghdad, and on 22 May repulsed an Iraqi counter-attack.
31
Baghdad surrenders
On 31 May 1941 an armistice ending the Anglo-Iraqi War was signed outside Baghdad. Rashid Ali and the Mufti had fled to Iran; the Regent returned on 1 June.
1943
January
16
Iraq declares war on the Axis
On 16 January 1943 Nuri al-Said’s government declared Iraq at war with Germany, Italy and Japan from midnight, and Iraq joined the United Nations.