A nationalist military coup in Iraq that ousted the pro-British government and triggered a British invasion and occupation lasting until 1947.
Key Facts
- Date
- 1 April 1941
- Coup leaders
- Four generals known as 'the Golden Square'
- Overthrown Regent
- 'Abd al-Ilah
- New Prime Minister
- Rashid Ali al-Gaylani
- Foreign military support
- Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy
- British occupation ended
- 1947
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Iraqi nationalist army officers, frustrated by the limited independence granted to Iraq in 1932 and seeking to exploit World War II, coordinated with German intelligence and obtained military assistance from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy to press for full independence from British influence.
On 1 April 1941, four Iraqi generals known as the Golden Square staged a coup that removed pro-British Regent 'Abd al-Ilah and Prime Minister Nuri al-Said, installing Sharaf bin Rajeh as Regent and Rashid Ali al-Gaylani as Prime Minister.
The change in government alarmed Britain, which responded with a full military invasion of Iraq. British forces defeated the new government, and Iraq remained under British occupation until 1947, effectively reversing the coup's gains.