The Golden Square (Arabic: المربع الذهبي, al-Murabbaʿ al-dhahabī) or Four Colonels (Arabic: العقداء الأربعة, al-ʿiqdā' al-arbaʿa) was a cabal of pro-fascist[citation needed] army officers of the Iraqi armed forces who played a part in Iraqi politics throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. They conspired to overthrow the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq and expel the British presence in Iraq. The activities of the Golden Square culminated in supporting Rashid Ali al-Gaylani in his overthrow of government in 1941,[1] briefly instituting the Golden Square National Defense Government. However, the Anglo-Iraqi War resulted in the disbandment of the Golden Square.
The Golden Square included the four most important leaders of the "Circle of Seven". The Circle of Seven was a group of SunniArab nationalist military officers who were greatly influenced by GermanAmbassadorFritz Grobba and, in turn, greatly influenced politics in Iraq during the 1930s and early 1940s.[2]
Members
The members of the Golden Square were ColonelSalah al-Din al-Sabbagh, Colonel Kamil Shabib, Colonel Fahmi Said, and Colonel Mahmud Salman. During the Anglo-Iraqi War, the four members of the Golden Square commanded units located in the Baghdad area. Salah ad-Din al-Sabbagh was commander of the Iraqi 3rd Infantry Division. Kamal Shabib commanded the 1st Infantry Division. Fahmi Said commanded the Independent Mechanized Brigade. Mahmud Salman, the one non-Army officer, was the chief of the Air Force.[3]
The members of the Golden Square were virulently anti-British. In time, these men represented real power as successive Iraqi governments sought the support of the military for survival. The members of the Golden Square looked to Nazi Germany to support them and, for his part, Grobba enthusiastically encouraged them to do so.[4]
Iraqi coup d'état
On 1 April 1941, Rashid Ali and the Golden Square launched a coup d'etat to topple the government of the regent, Prince 'Abd al-Ilah. The subsequent Anglo-Iraqi War ended disastrously for Rashid Ali and the members of the Golden Square who, for the most part, fled Iraq as the British closed in on Baghdad.[5]
Al-Marashi, Ibrahim; Salama, Sammy (2008). Iraq's armed forces: An analytical history. Oxon and New York: Routledge. pp. 254. ISBN978-0-415-40078-7.
Lyman, Robert (2006). Iraq 1941: The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad. Campaign. Oxford and New York: Osprey Publishing. p. 96. ISBN1-84176-991-6.
Tarbush, Mohammad A. (1982). The Role of the Military in Politics: A Case Study of Iraq to 1941. Campaign. London and Boston: Kegan Paul. p. 285. ISBN978-0-7103-0124-6.
Tripp, Charles (2002). A History of Iraq. Cambridge: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. p. 311. ISBN978-0-521-52900-6.
January 03, 2023
golden, square, iraq, golden, square, arabic, المربع, الذهبي, murabbaʿ, dhahabī, four, colonels, arabic, العقداء, الأربعة, ʿiqdā, arbaʿa, cabal, fascist, citation, needed, army, officers, iraqi, armed, forces, played, part, iraqi, politics, throughout, 1930s, . The Golden Square Arabic المربع الذهبي al Murabbaʿ al dhahabi or Four Colonels Arabic العقداء الأربعة al ʿiqda al arbaʿa was a cabal of pro fascist citation needed army officers of the Iraqi armed forces who played a part in Iraqi politics throughout the 1930s and early 1940s They conspired to overthrow the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq and expel the British presence in Iraq The activities of the Golden Square culminated in supporting Rashid Ali al Gaylani in his overthrow of government in 1941 1 briefly instituting the Golden Square National Defense Government However the Anglo Iraqi War resulted in the disbandment of the Golden Square Golden Squareالمربع الذهبيLeaderSalah al Din al SabbaghKamil ShabibFahmi SaidMahmud SalmanDates of operation1930 1930 1941 1941 Country IraqMotivesOverthrow of the Kingdom of IraqHeadquartersBaghdadIdeologyArab nationalismFascism citation needed Political positionFar rightNotable attacks1941 Iraqi coup d etatPart ofAxis PowersAlliesNational Brotherhood Party Nazi Germany Fascist ItalyOpponents British Empire HashemitesBattles and warsAnglo Iraqi War Contents 1 Details 2 Members 3 Iraqi coup d etat 4 See also 5 Notes 6 ReferencesDetails EditThe Golden Square included the four most important leaders of the Circle of Seven The Circle of Seven was a group of Sunni Arab nationalist military officers who were greatly influenced by German Ambassador Fritz Grobba and in turn greatly influenced politics in Iraq during the 1930s and early 1940s 2 Members EditThe members of the Golden Square were Colonel Salah al Din al Sabbagh Colonel Kamil Shabib Colonel Fahmi Said and Colonel Mahmud Salman During the Anglo Iraqi War the four members of the Golden Square commanded units located in the Baghdad area Salah ad Din al Sabbagh was commander of the Iraqi 3rd Infantry Division Kamal Shabib commanded the 1st Infantry Division Fahmi Said commanded the Independent Mechanized Brigade Mahmud Salman the one non Army officer was the chief of the Air Force 3 The members of the Golden Square were virulently anti British In time these men represented real power as successive Iraqi governments sought the support of the military for survival The members of the Golden Square looked to Nazi Germany to support them and for his part Grobba enthusiastically encouraged them to do so 4 Iraqi coup d etat EditOn 1 April 1941 Rashid Ali and the Golden Square launched a coup d etat to topple the government of the regent Prince Abd al Ilah The subsequent Anglo Iraqi War ended disastrously for Rashid Ali and the members of the Golden Square who for the most part fled Iraq as the British closed in on Baghdad 5 See also EditIraqi Army Iraqi Air Force Party of National BrotherhoodNotes Edit Near East Trouble in Paradise Time 21 April 1941 Tripp p 99 Lyman p 21 Lyman p 11 World War Middle Eastern Theater Everybody Loses Time 9 June 1941 References EditAl Marashi Ibrahim Salama Sammy 2008 Iraq s armed forces An analytical history Oxon and New York Routledge pp 254 ISBN 978 0 415 40078 7 Lyman Robert 2006 Iraq 1941 The Battles for Basra Habbaniya Fallujah and Baghdad Campaign Oxford and New York Osprey Publishing p 96 ISBN 1 84176 991 6 Tarbush Mohammad A 1982 The Role of the Military in Politics A Case Study of Iraq to 1941 Campaign London and Boston Kegan Paul p 285 ISBN 978 0 7103 0124 6 Tripp Charles 2002 A History of Iraq Cambridge Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge p 311 ISBN 978 0 521 52900 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Golden Square Iraq amp oldid 1120212608, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
