Iraq was under the control of the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey).

The British help create what is now Iraq, lumping together the Sunni, Shia and Kurdish people. The British install King Faisal to rule.

Oil is first exported from Iraq.

The Iraqi people are split – some side with the Germans, some with the British.

For about 20 years after World War II, Iraq was very unstable.

• Leaders were assassinated

•Alliances with other countries were formed and broken

•Thousands of civilians were killed

•There were many conflicting political parties

He had been vice-president. When the president, Al-Bakr, resigned, Saddam takes control and immediately executes about 20 political rivals and enemies.

•Saddam wanted to capture some disputed territory and oil fields

•The US sided with Iraq!

•The Iran-Iraq war ends in stalemate; an estimated 1 million soldiers are killed in eight years of fighting.

•Saddam wants to increase his territory and claim Kuwait’s oil resources.

•Iraq invades Kuwait and is condemned by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 660, which calls for the full withdrawal.

•Kuwaiti citizens are killed and tortured by Saddam’s army. Kuwaiti property is confiscated or destroyed.

•UNSC Resolution 678 authorizes the states cooperating with Kuwait to use "all necessary means" to uphold UNSC Resolution 660; UN orders Iraqi withdrawal by January 15, 1991.

•January: The Gulf War starts with coalition forces begin aerial bombing of Iraq, "Operation Desert Storm".

•February: Kuwait is freed from the Iraqi army

•March: Iraq accepts the terms of a ceasefire. The primary ceasefire resolution is UNSCR 687 (April 3) requiring Iraq to end its weapons of mass destruction programs, recognize Kuwait, account for missing Kuwaitis, return Kuwaiti property and end support for international terrorism. Iraq is required to end repression of its people.

Mohammed (“The Praised”)

570 – 632 AD

SUNNI“One who follows the

tradition of the Prophet”

Elect the leaders of Islam, called

CALIPHS

SHIA“Follower of Ali”

The leaders of Islam, called IMAMS, should be from the Prophet’s

family, or appointed by Allah

…OR FAMILY?FRIENDS…

ARABS & KURDS

THE SUNNI

THE SHIA

THE KURDS