The treaties of Iraq

08The treaties of Iraq

The treaty of June 1930

• The first step taken by the national movement was to rid the country of the mandate: it concluded the treaty of 1922 — but that left the upper hand with Britain. Treaties followed, the most important being the treaty of June 1930, which provided for:
• The independence of Iraq from the moment of its admission as a member of the League of Nations.
• The presence of British forces at certain specified locations.
• Protection of the British lines of communication, especially the air routes.

Why the national movement moved slowly

• The movement worked to free Iraq of its ties slowly, because of sectarian conflicts, the squabbling of the parties over power, and the interference of the tribes in raising one ministry and toppling another.
• The disturbances led to a military coup led by Bakr Sidqi (1936); but he was killed and matters returned to what they had been.