Iraqi Revolt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iraqi Revolt |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 United Kingdom |
Iraqi rebels
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Sir Arnold Wilson Clive Kirkpatrick |
Shaalan Abu al-Jun Mirza Taqi al-Shirazi Mirza Mahdi al-Shirazi Mehdi Al-Khalissi Muhammad Hasan Abi al-Mahasin Mahmud Barzanji Dhari ibn Mahmud Habib al-Khaizaran Omar al-Alwan Other heads of iraqi tribesmen |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 120,000 (later reinforced with an additional 15,414 men) 63 aircraft |
131,000 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1000 killed 1,100–1,800 wounded 11 aircraft destroyed |
2,050–10,000 killed | ||||||
The Iraqi Revolt was a big uprising in Iraq in 1920. It started in Baghdad in the summer of that year. Many Iraqis, including former soldiers, protested against the British. They were unhappy about new rules, like land ownership and burial taxes.
The revolt quickly grew, spreading to tribal areas in the middle and lower Euphrates River. Both Sunni and Shia religious groups worked together. Tribal communities, city people, and even Iraqi officers in Syria joined in.
The main goals of the revolt were to gain independence from British rule and create an Arab government. The rebels had some early successes. However, by October 1920, the British managed to stop the uprising. Some smaller parts of the revolt continued until 1922.
In the northern part of Iraq, Kurds also rebelled during the 1920s. They wanted their own independent state. A key Kurdish leader was Sheikh Mahmoud Barzanji.
Contents
Why the Revolt Started
In 1918, there was a smaller rebellion in the city of Najaf. Many people see this as a sign of the bigger revolt to come.
After World War I ended in 1918, the League of Nations decided to create "mandates." These were like temporary controls over lands that used to belong to the losing side, the Ottoman Empire. The idea was that these lands would eventually become independent. However, many people in these areas worried that "mandate" was just another word for European control.
At a meeting in Italy in April 1920, Britain was given control over Mesopotamia (which is what Iraq was called then). The British government put mostly British officials in charge. Many Iraqis feared that their country would become part of the British Empire.
A respected Shia religious leader, Ayatollah Muhammad Taqi al-Shirazi, issued a religious ruling (called a fatwa). He said it was wrong to work for the British government. People were also upset about new British rules, like land ownership laws. A new tax for burials in the important Wadi-us-Salaam Cemetery in Najaf also angered tribal leaders.
The Uprising Begins
Discontent with British rule turned into mass meetings and protests in Baghdad in May 1920. At first, these protests were peaceful. Large gatherings happened in both Sunni and Shia mosques, showing that different groups could work together.
An armed revolt started in late June 1920. Ayatollah al-Shirazi issued another fatwa. It said Iraqis should demand their rights peacefully. But if the British stopped them, it was okay to use force to defend themselves. This seemed to encourage fighting.
The British tried to stop the revolt by arresting a tribal leader. But his loyal fighters stormed the prison and freed him. The revolt quickly grew stronger. British military posts in the mid-Euphrates region were weak, and the armed tribes were much more powerful. By late July, the rebels controlled most of this area. Their success made the revolt spread to other parts of Iraq, including areas around Baghdad.
The British War Secretary, Winston Churchill, sent more soldiers and two squadrons of the Royal Air Force from Iran. Using airplanes helped the British a lot and played a big part in ending the revolt. Some tribes actually helped the British because they were given special recognition and benefits.
Eventually, the rebels started running out of supplies and money. They could not keep fighting for much longer. The British forces also became more effective. The revolt ended in October 1920 when the rebels gave up the cities of Najaf and Karbala to the British.
The Start of the Revolution in the South
After the revolt began in Baghdad, it quickly spread south. The town of Al-Rumaitha became a key spot. The Dhuwalim (or Zawalim) Tribe, led by Sheikh Shaalan Abu al-Jun, declared war on the British. They wanted Iraq to be independent.
The British governor of Al Diwaniyah ordered Sheikh Shaalan Abu al-Jun's arrest. This caused the Zawalim Tribe to rebel and free him from prison. The British worried this incident would cause the revolt to spread even more.
The arrest of Sheikh Shaalan Abu al-Jun caused a lot of trouble. His followers damaged railway lines and bridges. Iraqi officers supported these attacks, making them seem well-planned. The group of rebels grew and gained more support. On July 11, 1920, some rebel leaders wrote to the British officer in charge. They asked for Iraq's independence. When this request was denied, they officially declared a revolt.
Fighting in Samawah
Battle of Al-Khodar
Al-Khodar is a small village by the Euphrates River. On July 30, Hadi al-Maqoutar arrived from Najaf and convinced the villagers to join the revolt. The local tribes began to damage railway and telegraph lines. The British commander ordered his troops at the Khadr train station to move to Nasiriyah. On August 13, the rebels attacked the station. British troops left by train and reached Ur safely.
Battle of Al-Bawakher
British guards in Samawah were split into two groups. Both groups became surrounded after the British left Al-Khoder. On August 26, three warships and two regular ships tried to rescue the forces in Samawah. After tough battles, two warships and one regular ship reached the guards. The rebels managed to capture one of the regular ships. The train station also fell to the rebels after fierce fighting. The rebels then surrounded the main British camp, but the commander refused to surrender. The siege lasted about two months until November 14.
Samawah Falls to the British
On October 1, General Kongham moved his forces north from Ur. On October 6, he took Al-Khoder after some fighting. As they moved towards Samawah, the British forces burned villages along the Euphrates River. On October 13, they reached Samawah and faced strong resistance. After a tough battle, the rebels pulled back. On October 14, British troops entered the city without resistance, ending the siege on their forces.
On November 12, another battle happened near Samawah, with many deaths on both sides. After this, General Kongham negotiated with the Bani Hejim tribes. An agreement was signed on November 20, and the town of Al-Rumaitha was handed over. The British did not arrest any of the Bani Hajim elders.
Karbala's Role in the Revolt
A major part of the revolt happened in Karbala. Families from all parts of society, like the Al-Awad and Koumouna families, fought together. They were united by a promise to fight for an independent nation. These families wanted to set up Islamic rule across Iraq.
Shi’ite tribes also encouraged people to keep fighting British rule. Both groups fought very hard and were effective against the British. This was some of the strongest resistance the British faced. Many people in Karbala were killed, and many families were sent to prison camps on islands. Some returned, but many did not survive.
The Fight in Najaf
A group from the Bani Hassan clan took control of the Kifl region south of Hilla. They called on the British to send a large force. The British suffered heavy losses and had to retreat.
This battle led to the British leaving many areas. Other clans joined the revolt, and more areas were freed. The Bani Hassan tribe also freed the Toureej region without a fight. The rebels faced bombings from British aircraft. The rebel groups moved towards Siddat al-Hindi. The British commander saw this as a threat to Baghdad, especially after rebels attacked the railway and sank a British battleship.
British Forces and Rebels in Diyala
The British could not keep the revolt only in the southern and central Euphrates areas. Tribes along the Diyala River, in the northwest, joined the revolt around late July. Rebels sent messengers to spread news of the uprising, which helped it grow.
The most important tribe in the Diyala region was the ‘Azza. Their leader, Habib al-Khayizran, was unsure about joining the dangerous fight. But he was arrested and, after his release, he supported the revolt. Diyala was important because many railways to Persia (Iran) crossed through it. The rebels quickly cut off this railway line.
Battles of the Assyrians
Assyrian soldiers, who were disciplined and loyal, helped the British a lot. During the Arab rebellion in the 1920s, they showed great loyalty to their British officers, even in very difficult times.
In 1920, Assyrian camps were attacked by Arab forces. The Assyrians showed their discipline and fighting skills by defeating the Arabs. British officers said the Assyrians were experienced fighters. Many of them were veterans from the Assyrian war of independence. One officer believed the Assyrians fought so well because they thought the British would give them independence after the revolt.
Influence in Kurdistan
By the end of July, rebels controlled most of the southern and mid-Euphrates area. This inspired Kurds in southern Kurdistan to start their own rebellion. They managed to take over some towns. However, their uprising quickly failed because they lacked a strong leader to unite them. Most Kurdish leaders were fine with British rule, as it offered a stable system. They couldn't agree on a single leader and struggled to organize a successful revolution.
Rebels Take Control of Shahrban
On August 14, the Bani Tamim clan attacked the town of Shahraban (Miqdadiyah). The townspeople helped the clan. However, the government building, where British soldiers were staying, did not surrender. After hours of fighting, the rebels took control of the building. Five British soldiers were killed. After taking the town, the rebels cut off the railway line.
Later, there was a big conflict between the town elders and the Bani Tamim clan, leading to battles. On September 7, British troops arrived near the town. After an unequal battle, the British entered the town on September 9.
Khanaqin and Qazelarbat
On August 14, the Dalw clan, led by Khesro Bek, attacked the city of Khanaqin. They took the city with little resistance. The rebels looted government buildings and took down the British flag, replacing it with the Ottoman flag. They appointed Khurshid Bek as the city's ruler.
The clans of Qazarbat also attacked the British, taking over their town and looting its government building. On August 16, the Khanaqin rebels attacked a British army camp. After a battle, the rebels were defeated, with 15 dead. On August 19, a British force arrived in Khanaqin without resistance. They punished villages that joined the revolt. The next day, the British took Khanaqin. On August 27, the British took control of Qazelerbat.
Revolution in Kafri
On August 22, Ibrahim Khan, a Dalw clan leader, and his men went to Jabal Baba Shah Sawar, a mountain overlooking Kafri. They fired at the government building in the town. The town's assistant ruler, Captain Salmon, went to negotiate with Ibrahim Khan but was arrested by the rebels. The rebels then attacked and occupied the town, taking down the British flag.
When the ruler of Kirkuk heard the news, he moved his army towards Kafri. After a bloody battle, the British forces took the town.
Souq al-Sheioukh
On August 27, the governor of Nasiriyah visited Souq al-Sheioukh. He met with the town chiefs and tried to convince them not to join the revolt. On September 1, the British assistant political ruler and his companions escaped the town by steamer to Nasiriyah. Unlike other towns, Souq al-Sheioukh was not looted or destroyed, thanks to Sheikh Muhammad Hassan al-Haidar.
On September 4, two military ships left Nasiriyah. They were heavily armed by rebels and a battle lasted about half an hour.
What Happened After
Between 2,050 and 10,000 Iraqis died during the revolt. About 1,000 British and Indian soldiers were killed. The RAF flew many missions, dropping bombs and firing bullets. They lost 9 men and 11 aircraft.
The revolt cost the British government 40 million pounds. This was twice the amount of money they planned to spend on Iraq each year. This huge cost made British officials rethink their plans for Iraq.
The new Colonial Secretary, Winston Churchill, decided a new way of governing Iraq was needed. In March 1921, at the Cairo Conference, British officials discussed Iraq's future. They decided to control Iraq indirectly, by putting friendly former officials in power. They chose Faisal I to be the King of Iraq. Faisal had worked with the British before and had good relationships with important officials. The British also thought making Faisal king would stop him from fighting the French in Syria, which could harm British-French relations.
For Iraqis, the revolt helped create a sense of Iraqi nationalism, though experts still debate this idea. It also showed how Sunni and Shia Muslims could work together, even if this cooperation did not last long after the revolt ended.
See also
- RAF Iraq Command
- List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
- San Remo conference
- Al-Mas' Ala Al-Kubra
