British-led Allied military campaign against Iraq under Rashid Ali during World War II
The 1941 Anglo-Iraqi War secured Iraq as an Allied land bridge between Egypt and India, ending Axis-aligned governance in Baghdad.
Key Facts
- Campaign start date
- 2 May 1941 (first Allied airstrikes)
- Triggering event
- Golden Square coup, April 1941
- Axis support
- Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy aided Rashid Ali
- Strategic importance
- Iraq was a land bridge between Egypt and India
- Outcome
- Al-Gaylani's government collapsed; Abd al-Ilah reinstated
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Iraqi nationalists, opposed to the pro-British Regent Abd al-Ilah and the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty of 1930, organized the Golden Square coup in April 1941 with assistance from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. This coup ousted Abd al-Ilah and installed Rashid Ali al-Gaylani as Prime Minister, who then established official relations with the Axis powers, prompting Allied intervention.
Beginning with skirmishes and Allied airstrikes launched on 2 May 1941, British-led Allied forces conducted a military campaign against Iraq under Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. The operation targeted the Axis-aligned government that had seized power through the Golden Square coup, with British forces advancing to reassert control over the country and its strategic territory.
The campaign resulted in the rapid collapse of al-Gaylani's government and the re-occupation of Iraq by British forces. Abd al-Ilah was reinstated as Regent, restoring the pro-British administration. Allied influence in the Middle Eastern theatre was significantly strengthened, and Iraq remained secured as a critical land corridor linking British forces in Egypt and India.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Abd al-Ilah (Allied ally, Regent in exile).
Side B
3 belligerents
Rashid Ali al-Gaylani.