HD Iraq chronology Chronology B C First village settlements in

HD Iraq/chronology Chronology B.C. 6500–5000 First village settlements in Mesopotamia; the earliest was Jarmo, east of Kirkuk 3200–2800 First great Babylonian cultures appeared, Obedian and Warkan 3500 Sumer civilization flourishes 2750 Gilgamesh reigns as King of Erech 2334–2154 Akkadian dynasty 2316 Akkadians defeat Sumerians c. 2550 First Dynasty of Ur founded 2113–2006 Third Dynasty of Ur 2000 Elamites destroy Ur 1894–1595 Babylonian Empire 1792–1750 Rule of King Hammurabi 1595 The Hittites sack Babylon 1595–1157 Kassites rule in Mesopotamia 953–612 Assyrians rule in Mesopotamia 612–539 Chaldeans rule in Mesopotamia 539 Babylon falls to the Iranians under Cyrus the Great; History of Mesopotamia ends 331 Alexander the Great conquers Babylon; Age of Hellenization begins 227–126 Parthians complete conquest of the Tigris–Euphrates River valley A.D. 224–651 Sassanians rule 600–650 Muslim conquest begins 622 Year 1 of the Muslim calendar 632 Death of Muhammad 637 Battle of al-Qadisiyah, where the Arabs, outnumbered 6–1, defeat the Persians 661–750 Umayyad Caliphate 680 Husayn murdered 750 al-Abbas overthrows the Syrian Caliphate and moves the caliphate seat to Baghdad 750–1258 Abbasid Caliphate 762 Foundation of Baghdad set 830 Establishment of the House of Wisdom 1000–1400 Turco-Mongol centuries 1258 Hulaga Khan seizes Baghdad 1393 Timerlane occupies Baghdad 1401 Timerlane returns to Baghdad and destroys it 1508 Ismael Shah of the Safavid dynasty conquers ‘Iraq 1514 Ottoman conquest of ‘Iraq begins 1534 ‘Iraq conquered by Ottoman sultan Sulayman the Magnificent, marking the beginning of four centuries of Ottoman rule 1623 Shah Abbas of the Safavids seizes Baghdad from the Sublime Porte 1638 Ottomans retake Baghdad 1639 Treaty of Zuhab signed 1704 Mamluk rule in ‘Iraq begins 1802 British establish a consulate in Baghdad iii HD Iraq/chronology 1831 End of Mamluk rule in ‘Iraq as Ottomans regain administrative control 1869–1872 Midhat Pasha, governor of Baghdad, undertakes significant administrative and educational reforms 1888 German interests are granted the first foreign oil concession in ‘Iraq 1899 German interests gain the concession for the Baghdad–Berlin railroad 1912 Turkish Petroleum Company (TPC) established 1914 November British occupy southern ‘Iraq 1917 11 March British capture Baghdad 1920 28 April ‘Iraq is awarded to Britain as a Class A Mandate at the San Remo Conference June The Mawsil Revolt, or al-Thawra, breaks out in response to the San Remo Conference; roughly one-third of the country passes from British control for three months 11 November Provisional government formed 1921 March Faysal nominated for the ‘Iraqi throne at the Cairo Conference July Faysal overwhelmingly confirmed as king in a plebiscite 23 August Faysal ascends the ‘Iraqi throne 1922 10 October 1923 30 April 1925 21 March 1926 13 January 18 July 1927 15 October 1929 1930 30 June Anglo–‘Iraqi Treaty ratified by ‘Iraq Protocol to the 1922 Anglo–‘Iraqi Treaty modifies its duration from 20 to four years Faysal signs the Organic Law Anglo–‘Iraqi Treaty signed Mawsil wilayet becomes part of ‘Iraq TPC’s first major well comes in at Baba Gurgur TPC renamed the ‘Iraqi Petroleum Company (IPC) Anglo–‘Iraqi Treaty signed that pledges Britain will nominate ‘Iraq to the League of Nations in 1932 iv HD Iraq/chronology 1932 3 October ‘Iraq gains independence; is admitted to the League of Nations 1933 4–11 August The Assyrian Affair; hundreds of Assyrians are massacred 8 September King Faysal dies in Switzerland; Ghazi takes the throne 1934 January 1934–1935 1935 Central government passes a conscription law Tribal uprisings in the mid-Euphrates region Yazidis revolt against conscription 1935–1936 Kurdish uprising led by the Barzan tribe Series of tribal uprisings, mainly in the south, largely precipitated by the enforcement of the Conscription law 1936 29 October The military successfully launches its first coup; another six coups would occur over the next five years 1937 May More uprisings in the mid-Euphrates region 4 July ‘Iraq and Iran sign a frontier treaty governing the Shatt al-Arab 8 July Saadabad Pact signed by ‘Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkey 11 August General Bakr Sidqi assassinated 1939 4 April King Ghazi killed in an automobile accident; ‘Abd al-Ilah becomes regent 1941 IPC group gains monopoly concession in all of ‘Iraq 1–2 April Golden Square uprising brings Rashid Ali back into power 29 April Britain lands forces in Basra when Rashid Ali refuses its requests for the unconditional landing of its troops in ‘Iraq 2 May Fighting breaks out between ‘Iraq and Britain 29 May Rashid Ali government flees to Iran 30 May ‘Iraq and Britain sign an armistice; ‘Iraq remains under British occupation for the remainder of World War II 1943 January 1944 1945 ‘Iraq declares war on the Axis powers Ba’th Party founded in Damascus by Michel Aflaq and Salah al-Din Bitar v HD Iraq/chronology March ‘Iraq participates in the founding of the Arab League December ‘Iraq joins the United Nations (UN) 1948 15 January 16 January 27 January 15 May Portsmouth Treaty between ‘Iraq and Britain signed in London by ‘Iraqi prime minister Salih Jabr Al-Wathbah, the “Glorious Uprising,” breaks out as student dissatisfaction spreads into rioting and demonstrations against the Portsmouth Treaty Jabr resigns; the new cabinet repudiates the Portsmouth Treaty State of Israel declared; first Arab–Israeli war erupts 1952 First Free Officer cell forms in the army October Student strikes and demonstrations calling for direct elections begin 22 November Student unrest causes the fall of the ‘Umari government; the demonstrations continue, leading to the declaration of martial law and the installation of a military government 1953 29 January The government is returned to civilian hands 2 May Faysal II reaches his majority and assumes constitutional powers as king 1955 24 February ‘Iraq adheres to the Baghdad Pact 1956 29 October 1957 Tripartite attack against Egypt University of Baghdad established 1958 14 February ‘Iraq and Jordan form the Arab Federation in response to the formation of the United Arab Republic (UAR) by Egypt and Syria 14 July ‘Iraqi Revolution; the monarchy is overthrown by a military coup led by ‘Abd alKarim Qasim and ‘Abd al-Salam ‘Arif; the royal family, ‘Abd al-Ilah, and Nuri al-Sa'id are killed August Mahdawi Court established 30 September Agrarian Reform Law is passed September ‘Arif is dismissed as deputy commander in chief on 10 September and stripped of his other political functions on 30 September; is sent to the Federal Republic of Germany as ambassador in October 5 November ‘Arif, who returned to Baghdad on 4 November, is arrested for allegedly attempting to assassinate Qasim and overthrow the government December ‘Arif is put on trial and sentenced to death 9 December Rashid ‘Ali plot to overthrow Qasim is discovered and foiled 1959 vi HD Iraq/chronology 8 March An unsuccessful rebellion is launched in Mawsil by a group of Free Officers led by Colonel ‘Abd al-Wahhab Shawwaf, who is killed during the fighting; in the aftermath of the rebellion, bloody confrontations between nationalists and Communists leave some 200 people dead 24 March ‘Iraq withdraws from the Baghdad Pact July Fighting breaks out in Kirkuk on the anniversary of the revolution in which scores of people are killed; blame is fastened on the ‘Iraqi Communist Party 7 October A group of Ba’thists, including Saddam Husayn, make an unsuccessful attempt on Qasim’s life 1959–1961 1960 September Dispute over the Shatt al-Arab reopens between ‘Iraq and Iran ‘Iraq participates in the founding of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) 1961 25 June Qasim lays claim to Kuwait and attempts to annex it September Kurdish rebellion breaks out 11 December Public Law 80 proclaimed, expropriating 99.5 percent of the IPC concession The “Ramadan Revolution”; Qasim overthrown by the Ba’th Party and ‘Abd alSalam ‘Arif 9 February Qasim surrenders and is shot to death 7 April Agreement on unity between ‘Iraq and the UAR is announced 30 September ‘Iraq and Syria announce plans for federation 18 November ‘Arif carries out a countercoup against the Ba’th Party 1964 February Public Law 11 establishes the ‘Iraqi National Oil Company (INOC) 10 February A cease-fire in the Kurdish war is reached 14 July Nationalization laws passed, affecting numerous industries, including banking, insurance, cement, and cigarettes 1965 April Hostilities resume between the Kurds and the central government 1966 Iraqi and Syrian Ba’th parties split 13 April ‘Arif and several ministers are killed in a helicopter accident 17 April ‘Abd al-Rahman ‘Arif is elected to succeed his brother as president 1967 5–11 June The Six-Day War; ‘Iraq sends troops to Jordan and breaks relations with Britain and the United States 1963 8 February vii HD Iraq/chronology 16 August 1968 17 July 29–30 July 1969 19 April 1970 11 March Public Law 97 proclaimed, giving INOC the exclusive rights to the territories expropriated under Public Law 80 The Ba’th Party, in cooperation with military officers, overthrows the ‘Arif regime Ba’thists stage a countercoup against the military officers with whom they had cooperated to seize power two weeks previously Iran declares the abrogation of the 1937 treaty and announces it would make free use of the Shatt al-Arab The Ba’th issues the March Manifesto, an autonomy agreement with the Kurds 1971 15 November The Ba’th proclaims a reform program called the National Action Charter 1972 7 April Production begins at North Rumaila oilfield 9 April ‘Iraq signs a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Soviet Union 1 June ‘Iraq nationalizes most of the IPC and sets up the ‘Iraq Company for Oil Operations (ICOO) under the provisions of Public Law 69 1973 20 March ‘Iraq occupies a border post in Kuwait during a dispute over Warba and Bubiyan Islands 30 June Security Chief Nazim Kazzar attempts a coup in which he kills Defense Minister Hammad Shihab and wounds Interior Minister Sadun Ghaydan; Kazzar is executed on 7 July 1973 July Iraqi Communist Party joins the Ba’th Party in a National Front 7 October ‘Iraq nationalizes the American and Dutch holdings in Basra Petroleum Company (BPC) December ‘Iraq nationalizes C. S. Gulbenkian’s interest in BPC 1974 10 February Border fighting between ‘Iraq and Iran results in scores of casualties 11 March Baghdad unilaterally enacts the Autonomy Law for the Kurds March Fighting between the Kurds and the central government breaks out again 1975 6 March The Algiers Agreement between ‘Iraq and Iran is announced; within 48 hours Iran withdraws its support for the Kurds, leading to the collapse of the Kurdish rebellion by April 8 December ‘Iraq completes the nationalization of its oil industry viii HD Iraq/chronology 1977 5–6 February Demonstrations break out in Najaf and Karbala during Ashura, and troops are dispatched to quell the disturbances; eventually a number of religious leaders are executed or imprisoned for their roles in the events 1978 May The Ba’th executes 21 communists for allegedly organizing cells in the army November Baghdad Summit is held; ‘Iraq takes lead in expelling Egypt from the Arab League in response to Egypt’s signing of the Camp David Accords 7 November ‘Iraq and Syria announce plans for union 1979 June Riots break out in Najaf and Karbala 16 July Ahmad Hasan al-Bakr steps down as ‘Iraqi president; Saddam Husayn assumes the presidency 28 July Union plans with Syria are cancelled; Saddam accuses Syria of plotting to overthrow his regime and executes 22 high-ranking party officials, including five members of the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) 1980 April Assassination attempts against Tariq ‘Aziz and Latif Nusayyif Jasim lead to a crackdown on the underground Shi’i group al-Da’wa Summer ‘Iraq’s leading Shi’i clergyman, Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr, and his sister are secretly executed 22 September ‘Iraq invades Iran 1981 7 June Israel bombs and destroys ‘Iraqi nuclear reactor facility at Osiraq 1982 Iranian forces cross into ‘Iraq 1984 March The tanker war starts 11 November ‘Iraq resumes diplomatic relations with the United States 1985 May The war of the cities begins 1986 9 February ‘Iraq loses the Faw Peninsula to Iranian forces March UN secretary-general Javier Perez de Cuellar accuses ‘Iraq of using chemical weapons 1987 17 May ‘Iraq accidentally attacks the U.S.S. Stark, killing 37 crewmen ix HD Iraq/chronology July The UN Security Council passes UN Resolution 598, which calls for an end to the Iran– Iraq war ‘Iraq uses chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians at Halabja ‘Iraq and Iran agree to a cease-fire 1988 16 March 8 August 1989 10 February ‘Iraq and Iran agree to direct peace talks 21 February Arab Cooperation Council formed 17 August A massive explosion takes place at an ‘Iraqi military facility near Al Hillah; Western sources claim hundreds of people are killed in the accident 5 December ‘Iraq successfully tests a missile capable of carrying a payload into space 1990 15 March ‘Iraq hangs Farzad Barzoft, an Iranian-born journalist working for a British paper, on charges of spying for Israel 28 March U.S. Customs officials conclude a sting operation in London, arresting three people on charges of buying nuclear triggers said to be meant for shipment to ‘Iraq 2 April Saddam Husayn threatens to use chemical weapons against Israel if Israel attacks ‘Iraq 11 April British Customs officials seize eight steel pipes bound for ‘Iraq, charging that they formed part of the barrel of a “supergun”; over the next several weeks other shipments are seized in Greece, Turkey, Italy, and West Germany. 30 May At a closed session of the Baghdad summit, Saddam accuses OPEC quota violators of waging “a kind of war against ‘Iraq” 17 July Saddam warns that OPEC quota violators are harming ‘Iraqi interests and that ‘Iraq will use force if they do not abide by the production agreement 23 July ‘Iraq moves troops to its border with Kuwait 1 August ‘Iraq invades Kuwait 2 August The UN Security Council passes Resolution 660, condemning ‘Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, demanding its immediate and unconditional withdrawal, and threatening to invoke sanctions. The United States, Britain, and France freeze ‘Iraqi and Kuwaiti assets 6 August The UN Security Council imposes sanctions against ‘Iraq 7 August The United States launches Operation Desert Shield, aimed at protecting Saudi Arabia from an ‘Iraqi invasion 8 August ‘Iraq announces its annexation of Kuwait; the UN Security Council declares the annexation to be null and void 15 August ‘Iraq offers to accept Iran's terms for a peace settlement, including a return to the boundary provisions of the Algiers Agreement 28 August ‘Iraq declares Kuwait as its 19th province and renames Kuwait City Kadhima 14 October ‘Iraq and Iran resume diplomatic relations 29 November The UN Security Council passes Resolution 678, which authorizes members “to use all necessary means” to oust ‘Iraq from Kuwait; the resolution x HD Iraq/chronology establishes a 15 January 1991 deadline for ‘Iraq to comply with all prior resolutions calling for its withdrawal Iraqi foreign minister Tariq ‘Aziz and U.S. secretary of state James Baker meet for six hours in Geneva; the talks do not produce progress toward a peaceful settlement of the Gulf crisis 17 January A multinational force led by the United States launches Operation Desert Storm, an air campaign against ‘Iraq and its forces inside Kuwait 18 January ‘Iraq launches seven SCUD missiles at Israel and one at Saudi Arabia; by late February, it has launched a total of at least 17 SCUDs against Saudi Arabia and 39 against Israel 24 February The multinational force launches a ground assault into Kuwait and southern ‘Iraq 27 February Coalition forces gain control of Kuwait City; U.S. president George H. Bush declares that Kuwait has been liberated and announces that coalition forces will cease hostilities exactly 100 hours after the ground attack commenced. ‘Iraq announces it will comply with all 12 UN resolutions dealing with its invasion of Kuwait 28 February Soldiers returning from Kuwait ignite an uprising against the regime in southern ‘Iraq 5 March The uprising spreads to ‘Iraqi Kurdistan 21 March A UN team issues a report on postwar conditions in ‘Iraq; the team says that the coalition had bombed ‘Iraq into a “preindustrial” state and warns of famine and epidemics 3 April Forces loyal to Saddam succeed in crushing the last vestiges of the uprising; thousands of refugees flee into Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia 5 April With one million refugees fleeing into surrounding countries, the United States begins airdropping supplies to Kurdish refugees along the ‘Iraqi–Turkish border 16 April The United States announces the formation of “safe havens” in northern ‘Iraq to be enforced by U.S., British, and French troops 6 May U.S. forces withdraw from southern ‘Iraq 13 September A UN report concludes that by the mid-1990s ‘Iraq would have been capable of building two to three atomic devices a year if its program had not been uncovered 19 September The UN Security Council authorizes the sale of $1.6 billion of ‘Iraqi oil for the purchase of humanitarian supplies, with one-third of the proceeds to go toward reparations; Saddam refuses to accept the terms of the resolution on 4 February 1992 7 October UN inspectors discover the Al-Atheer complex, the headquarters of ‘Iraq’s nuclear weapons program 1992 16 April The UN Border Demarcation Commission announces changes in the ‘Iraqi– Kuwaiti border that give Kuwait a larger share of the Rumaila oil field and part of the ‘Iraqi port of Umm Qasr 1991 9 January xi HD Iraq/chronology The two major parties in Kurdistan, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), each win 50 seats in the National Assembly; a runoff is to be held at a later date to determine the paramount leader after neither candidate—Mas’ud Barzani and Jalal Talabani— achieved a majority 16–19 June The ‘Iraqi National Congress (INC), an umbrella organization representing over 30 opposition groups, holds a conference in Vienna; SAIRI and al-Da’wa are not officially represented 5 July ‘Iraq refuses to allow UN weapons inspectors access to the Agricultural Ministry; on 26 July the standoff is settled after the UN agrees to exclude members from countries that participated in Operation Desert Storm 6 August ‘Iraq announces that it will not allow UN inspection teams into its Ministries 26 August The United States announces the establishment of a “no-fly” zone south of the 32d parallel, designed to protect the Shi’i from the ‘Iraqi air force 23 September The ‘Iraqi opposition begins a three-day meeting at Arbil; all factions, including those that boycotted the INC meeting in June, are present 2 October The UN Security Council votes to use up to $500 million in frozen ‘Iraqi assets to pay for UN expenses in ‘Iraq and for reparations 7 December Saddam announces the completion of the so-called Third River project ‘Iraq moves surface-to-air missiles into the southern no-fly zone, precipitating a series of military strikes against southern sites during January 10 January Baghdad refuses to allow a UN inspection team to fly into ‘Iraq 11 January ‘Iraq moves surface-to-air missiles into the northern no-fly zone 17 January The United States attacks a military complex in southern Baghdad with Tomahawk missiles; the lobby of the al-Rashid hotel is destroyed and several people are killed 19 January ‘Iraq agrees to allow the UN inspection team into Baghdad and announces a cease-fire against Allied planes 7 May The Clinton administration announces it has evidence that during George H. Bush’s April visit to Kuwait, ‘Iraqi agents had planned to assassinate him 15 May ‘Iraq invalidates its ID25 note in an effort to combat rampant inflation 26 June The United States attacks intelligence headquarters in Baghdad in retaliation for the alleged plot to assassinate Bush in April; several civilians are killed, including well-known artist Laila al- Attar 5 July UN weapons inspectors leave ‘Iraq after Baghdad refused to allow the team to install cameras at two missile testing sites; a second team withdraws within a week 19 July ‘Iraq agrees to accept long-term weapons monitoring, although it claims that the UN agreed to offer concessions on other issues, including the lifting of sanctions 27 July A UN team installs cameras at one of the two missile sites 26 October The dinar is traded on the black market for $1 = ID105, the first time the value of the dinar falls below $1 = ID100 1993 4 January 22–24 May xii HD Iraq/chronology 18–20 November Between 500 and 600 civilians protest in Umm Qasr against the new UNdemarcated border between ‘Iraq and Kuwait, which moved Kuwait's border northward by several kilometers 26 November ‘Iraq tells the UN that it will accept Resolution 715—long-term weapons monitoring—and requests that sanctions be lifted 1994 5 February In an attempt to halt the precipitous drop in the value of the ‘Iraqi dinar, the regime gives state banks permission to buy/sell hard currency outside the official rate ($1 = ID0.3) 17 February The PUK and Islamic Movement of Kurdistan (IMK) sign an agreement to end fighting that has left 200 dead 10 March The Central Bank announces that it will issue an ID50 note; the ID25 note had been the highest denomination in circulation 14 April Two U.S. helicopters are shot down over northern ‘Iraq by two U.S. F-15 fighter jets; 26 people are killed 25 April The Central Bank announces it will issue an ID100 note; the dinar is trading at $1 = ID300 on the black market 29 May Because of the continuing economic crisis, Saddam Husayn dismisses Ahmad Khudayir and names himself prime minister 5 June The KDP and PUK open talks to resolve the differences that have fueled a month of fighting, which has left 400 people dead 20–21 August The Foreign Ministers of Iran, Syria, and Turkey meet in Damascus to discuss the ‘Iraqi situation; they reaffirm their commitment to ‘Iraq’s territorial integrity 6 September ‘Iraq and Kuwait meet to discuss the fate of 600 Kuwaitis missing since the Gulf War 25 September The government cuts rations on essential food items, including flour, rice, sugar, and cooking oil, leading to a doubling of prices on these items 27 September Tariq ‘Aziz meets with French foreign minister Alain Juppe at the UN, the first high-level contact between a Western coalition power and ‘Iraq since the Gulf War 5 October Saddam demands the UN lift the sanctions against ‘Iraq or ‘Iraq will cease to comply with its monitoring activities; two Republican Guard units begin moving to the Kuwaiti border 9 October The United States deploys 36,000 troops and 51 combat planes to the Gulf; Britain and France also commit military forces as Western intelligence reports estimate that 80,000 ‘Iraqi troops have massed in the Basra area 11 October ‘Iraq begins withdrawing its troops from the border area; the United States deploys an additional 100 combat planes to the Gulf 12 October An allied force, including U.S., British, French, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) contingents, arrives in Kuwait 15 October The UN Security Council passes Resolution 949, which demands that ‘Iraq withdraw its military forces to their previous positions and forbids it from using its military forces to threaten its neighbors or UN operations xiii HD Iraq/chronology 10 November The National Assembly and the RCC recognize Kuwait within its new UNdefined borders mid–November Food prices continue to skyrocket; a kilo of flour reaches ID450, and a carton of eggs sells for ID1,350 13 November Tariq ‘Aziz delivers a letter to the UN stating ‘Iraq's official recognition of Kuwait within its new borders 24 November The KDP and PUK sign a 14-point peace plan promising elections in May 1995 20 December Ekeus reports that ‘Iraq is falling far short of full compliance with UN resolutions requiring disclosure of its biological and chemical weapons programs 20 March Turkey sends 35,000 troops into northern ‘Iraq in pursuit of PKK guerrillas; the forces withdraw by 4 May 25 March Americans William Barloon and David Daliberti are sentenced to eight years in prison for illegally entering ‘Iraq; the two men accidentally strayed across the border from Kuwait; they are released on 16 July 14 April The UN proposes a plan to allow ‘Iraq to sell $2 billion worth of oil for humanitarian purposes; ‘Iraq rejects the UN “oil-for-food” plan on 17 April 20 May The Sunni Dulaimi clan riots in Ramadi after one of its members is executed for alleged participation in a coup plot; 30 people died and 100 were wounded 1 July ‘Iraq admits it developed biological weapons in 1989–1990 but claims it has since destroyed them 8 August Husayn Kamil and Saddam Kamil Hassan Majid and their wives, both daughters of Saddam, defect to Jordan, where they are granted political asylum; 15 other military officials defect with them 12 August Husayn Kamil calls for the overthrow of Saddam 17 August ‘Iraq offers the UN new information on its nuclear and biological programs, which it claims had been withheld by Husayn Kamil 22 August Ekeus announces that ‘Iraq admitted arming missiles with chemical and biological agents 11 October Ekeus reports that ‘Iraq continues to withhold information about its weapons programs and therefore did not meet the requirements for the lifting of UN sanctions 15 October Saddam is reelected president for another seven-year term, with 99.96 percent of the vote 31 October A bomb explodes at the headquarters of the INC in Salah al-Din, leaving 25 people dead 8 November UN sanctions are renewed a day after Ekeus revealed that ‘Iraq attempted to build a nonexplosive nuclear weapon 1996 18 January ‘Iraq agrees to negotiate with the UN over the April 1995 oil-for-food plan 20 February Husayn Kamil, his brother Saddam, and their families return to ‘Iraq 23 February Husayn and Saddam Kamil are divorced by their wives and then killed by relatives who accused the brothers of disgracing the family with their defections to Jordan in August 1995 xiv HD Iraq/chronology 20 May The UN and ‘Iraq agree to a plan that will allow ‘Iraq to sell $1 billion of oil every six months; proceeds would be divided between humanitarian purchases, compensation to Kuwait, and payments to Kurdish areas 18 July The UN approves ‘Iraq’s revised version of how it will distribute the proceeds from the oil-for-food plan; after additional changes, it is approved on 8 August 31 August Iraqi forces enter the Kurdish autonomous zone in response to a request for assistance by the KDP; the combined KDP–Iraqi forces capture Arbil 1 September The UN suspends the oil-for-food agreement in response to ‘Iraq’s involvement in the KDP–PUK fighting 3 September The United States hits ‘Iraqi air defense systems with cruise missiles and extends the no-fly zone from the 32nd to the 33rd parallel in response to ‘Iraq’s movement into the Kurdish enclave 4 September The INC reports that ‘Iraqi government forces arrested 1,500 people in Arbil 10 September The United States warns ‘Iraq to stop rebuilding the air defense sites damaged by U.S. missile strikes or risk another attack 10 December Under the oil-for-food plan, ‘Iraq begins exporting oil via its pipeline through Turkey 12 December Uday Husayn, Saddam’s son, is wounded in an assassination attempt 27 December France withdraws from Operation Provide Comfort 1997 19 March 9 April 16 October 23 October 29 October 4 November 10 November 12 November 13 November 21 November 15 December 22 December 1998 12 January First shipment of food under UN oil-for-food program is delivered An ‘Iraqi airliner flies to Jedda in violation of UN sanctions ‘Iraq threatens to end cooperation with UNSCOM if new sanctions are imposed UN Security Council resolves to ban international travel by ‘Iraqi officials unless ‘Iraq cooperates with UNSCOM ‘Iraq orders US members of UNSCOM to leave in one week; UNSCOM suspends its monitoring activities ‘Iraq extends the deadline for the expulsion of U.S. members of UNSCOM but refuses to allow teams with U.S. members to search sites; ‘Iraq threatens to fire on U.S. U-2 surveillance planes used by UNSCOM Iraqi civilians move onto grounds of presidential palaces, which ‘Iraq refuses to allow UNSCOM to search, to act as human shields against anticipated U.S. military strike UN Security Council unanimously votes for new sanctions, including a travel ban ‘Iraq expels UNSCOM After talks with UN, ‘Iraq permits UNSCOM to resume its work ‘Iraq informs UNSCOM that it can never inspect the presidential palace sites UN Security Council calls ‘Iraqi refusal to open presidential palace sites “unacceptable” ‘Iraq refuses to cooperate with UNSCOM team led by American Scott Ritter, whom it accuses of espionage xv HD Iraq/chronology 14 January 21 January 20 February 23 February 17 April 3–4 June 19 June 21 July 5 August 9 September 31 October 14 November 16 November 22 November 15 December 16 December 19 December 28 December UN Security Council demands “full, immediate and unconditional” access to all sites U.S. president Bill Clinton says that the United States might take military action against ‘Iraq with or without UN approval UN Security Council doubles to $5.2 billion the amount of oil ‘Iraq can sell every six months under the oil-for-food program; some of the funds were made available for oil industry infrastructure repair After months of tension, ‘Iraq and UN secretary-general Kofi Annan sign a news weapons monitoring agreement UNSCOM tells the UN Security Council it has made virtually no progress in last six months UNSCOM briefs the UN Security Council: ‘Iraq has continuously concealed its biological and chemical weapons programs UN Security Council approves plan to let ‘Iraq spend $300 million to upgrade its oil facilities so it can actually produce the $5.2 billion of oil it is allowed every six months Dennis Halliday, in charge of oil-for-food program, resigns in opposition to the humanitarian costs of sanctions ‘Iraq ends all cooperation with UNSCOM until it is restructured; UNSCOM suspends its works as of August 9 UN Security Council votes to suspend sanctions reviews until ‘Iraq cooperates with UNSCOM ‘Iraq states it is ending all cooperation with UNSCOM, including closing down long-term monitoring; UN Security Council condemns this stand unanimously on 5 November The United States aborts an air strike against ‘Iraq, recalling the planes in the air after ‘Iraq gives the UN a letter stating it would resume cooperation with UNSCOM, albeit with conditions. The United States calls these conditions unacceptable UNSCOM returns to Baghdad Izzat Ibrahim escapes uninjured from an assassination attempt in Karbala UNSCOM head Richard Butler complains to the UN Security Council about ‘Iraq’s continuing lack of cooperation The United States and Britain undertake Operation Desert Fox, four days of air strikes against suspected weapons sites, Republican Guard facilities, and intelligence sites; the United States reports that fewer than half of the targets are severely damaged ‘Iraq declares an end to cooperation with UNSCOM ‘Iraq fires on U.S. aircraft in the no-fly zone, and the United Sta5tes retaliates against ‘Iraqi radar targets; from this point on, such incidents continue on an almost daily basis into 2002 1999 6 January The United States admits that UNSCOM provided it with intelligence 17 July Saddam grants younger son Qusay power to act as president in an emergency 17 December UN Security Council creates new weapons monitoring body, UN Monitoring, Verification, and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC), and creates a xvi HD Iraq/chronology schedule for lifting sanctions; ‘Iraq rejects the new body, vowing to refuse any weapons inspections until sanctions are lifted 2000 26 January 3 February 11 February 15 February UN Security Council appoints Hans Blix as head of UNMOVIC Kurds in Sulaymaniyya hold first elections in eight years ‘Iraq states that UNMOVIC will not be allowed into ‘Iraq Jutta Purghan, head of the World Food program in ‘Iraq, resigns, apparently to protest the humanitarian costs of sanctions 22 September A French plane flies into Baghdad without the permission of the UN Security Council; this begins a slew of flights from Russia, Jordan, Tunisia, Syria, and Turkey over the next several months in violation of sanctions 2001 13 January Over 70 Americans fly to ‘Iraq in violation of UN sanctions carrying medical supplies 20 February British prime minister Tony Blair calls Saddam “probably the most dangerous ruler at the present time anywhere in the world” 6 March UN announces ‘Iraq is illegally adding surcharges to each barrel of oil its sells under the oil-for-food program and placing the proceeds in a non-UNmonitored account 26 November U.S. president George W. Bush warns ‘Iraq to accept weapons inspectors or it will become the next target in the war on terrorism U.S. president George W. Bush labels ‘Iraq part of an “axis of evil” that includes Iran and North Korea 13 February Iraq rejects the return of UN weapons inspectors 14 May UN Security Council approves “smart sanctions” 8 September The United States begins a massive military buildup in the Persian Gulf amid war rumors 12 September U.S. president George W. Bush delivers a speech to the UN, calling on the UN to prove its relevance by enforcing its resolutions demanding that ‘Iraq disarm 16 September Iraq unconditionally accepts the return of UN weapons inspectors 16 October Saddam wins a new seven-year term as president with 100 percent of the vote 20 October Saddam declares an amnesty for nearly all prisoners in ‘Iraq, virtually emptying out the jails 8 November By a 15–0 vote, the UN Security Council passes UNR 1441, which establishes an enhanced weapons inspections regime 13 November Iraq agrees to UNR 1441 25 November UN weapons inspectors arrive in ‘Iraq 7 December Iraq delivers a 12,000-page report to the UN declaring it has no weapons of mass destruction; UN quickly discovers it is essentially the same data presented in 1997 2002 29 January xvii HD Iraq/chronology 19 December The United States declares the incomplete ‘Iraqi report constitutes a “material breach” of UNR 1441 First full report on the progress of weapons inspections delivered to the UN Security Council: ‘Iraq is cooperating, but there are gaps in its accounting for chemical and biological weapons 14 February Chief UN weapons inspector Hans Blix tells the Security Council ‘Iraq has not fully cooperated 24 February The United States, United Kingdom, and Spain propose a new resolution that would allow for the use of force against ‘Iraq for its material breaches of UN resolutions; the resolution never comes to a vote in the face of strong opposition from other Security Council members 1 March The Turkish parliament rejects U.S. request to base 62,000 troops in Turkey; force would open a northern front in ‘Iraq 16 March The United States, United Kingdom, and Spain hold an emergency summit, giving the UN 24 hours to enforce its resolutions against ‘Iraq or the United States will lead a war against ‘Iraq 17 March UN orders all staff out of ‘Iraq 18 March U.S. president George W. Bush gives Saddam and his sons 48 hours to leave Baghdad or face war with the United States 19 March The United States attempts to “decapitate” the ‘Iraqi leadership with a precision air strike; President Bush announces the war has started 9 April Saddam’s regime collapses as U.S. forces take control of Baghdad; several days of severe looting follow 10 April 28 April 3 May 9 May 13 July 22 July 7 August 19 August 22–24 August 29 August 1 September Abd al-Majid al-Khui, the head of the al-Khui Foundation is stabbed to death in Najaf by an angry crowd At least 13 ‘Iraqis at a demonstration are killed by U.S. forces, which claimed they had been fired upon first L. Paul Bremer becomes the top U.S. civilian authority in Baghdad Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, the head of SAIRI, returns from exile in Iran ‘Iraqi Governing Council holds its first meeting Uday and Qusay Husayn are killed by U.S. forces in a firefight at their safehouse in Mawsil At least 11 people are killed in a bombing at the Jordanian embassy in Baghdad A car bomb at UN headquarters in Baghdad kills top UN official Sergio Vieira de Mello and at least 22 others Violence between Kurds and Turkomen in Kirkuk leaves at least a dozen people dead A car bomb at the Imam ‘Ali mosque in Najaf kills Ayatullah Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim; scores of people are killed in the blast ‘Iraqi Governing Council names the first post-Saddam cabinet 2003 28 January xviii HD Iraq/chronology 11 September U.S. troops accidentally kill 10 ‘Iraqi police officers in Fallujah xix