History of Iraq
Table of Contents
1932-1958 (independence and monarchy)............................................................................................2
1968-2003(Baathist and violence).........................................................................................................3
1990-2003(post - gulf war sanctions and disarmament).......................................................................4
2014-2017(rise and fall of ISIS)..............................................................................................................5
2018-2024(post-ISIS on going counter terrorism efforts)......................................................................6
International partnership and regional cooperation.............................................................................7
Present-Day Challenges and Iraq’s Goals (2024)...................................................................................8
Overview...............................................................................................................................................9
1932-1958 (independence and monarchy)
After Iraq gained independence in 1932, it faced political instability and
factionalism, which sowed the seeds for later conflicts. Terrorism wasn’t a
dominant issue, but internal unrest and coups, including the 1958 overthrow
of the monarchy, marked the beginning of political violence that would later
evolve into more organized forms of terrorism.
1968-2003(Baathist and violence)
Under Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist regime, Iraq experienced
state-controlled violence rather than terrorism from external
groups. The government frequently used force against ethnic
and religious minorities, particularly Kurds and Shi’a
communities, leading to militarization within these
communities as they sought autonomy.
Iraq’s military buildup, largely fueled by its oil wealth,
included chemical weapons, which were used notably during
the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). The end of this war left the
country heavily armed but economically weakened.
1990-2003(post - gulf war sanctions and
disarmament)
Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the UN imposed
strict sanctions and demanded disarmament under Security
Council Resolutions like 687, which required Iraq to eliminate
its weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)
The UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) was established to
oversee the destruction of Iraq’s chemical, biological, and
nuclear weapons programs, which became a key aspect of
international disarmament efforts. However, Iraq’s resistance
and alleged non-compliance led to prolonged inspections and
suspicion.
In 2003, Iraq’s lack of transparency over its WMDs was a
major justification cited by the United States and allies for
the invasion that deposed Saddam Hussein’s regime.
2014-2017(rise and fall of ISIS)
By 2014, ISIS had captured large swaths of Iraq,
including the city of Mosul, where it declared a
caliphate. ISIS implemented extreme forms of violence
and drew fighters globally, posing an unprecedented
threat.
Iraq’s response included forming alliances with the US-
led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, the mobilization of
local militias (particularly the Popular Mobilization
Forces, or PMF), and Iranian-supported forces to
retake ISIS-held areas.
The liberation of Mosul in 2017 marked a significant
turning point, but the ISIS threat shifted to more covert
tactics, with sleeper cells and rural insurgencies that
Iraq continues to combat today.
2018-2024(post-ISIS on going counter
terrorism efforts)
Post-2017, Iraq has focused on stabilizing areas
formerly under ISIS control. The UN’s UNITAD mission,
established in 2017, assists in documenting ISIS crimes,
particularly atrocities against minorities, to support
judicial accountability
Iraq’s counter-terrorism efforts today include
strengthening local law enforcement, enhancing
judicial processes for terrorism cases, and developing
community-based programs to prevent radicalization.
Iraq’s government emphasizes disarming militias and
reclaiming weapons that remain in civilian hands after
years of conflict
International partnership and regional
cooperation
iraq’s counter-terrorism and disarmament efforts rely
on international cooperation with the UN, the US, and
regional neighbors. Key UN bodies, like the Counter-
Terrorism Committee (CTC), and the use of
international sanctions help Iraq manage terrorist
financing and arms trafficking networks that cross its
borders.
Iraq continues to work with the UN and NGOs to
address the humanitarian impacts of terrorism,
including psychosocial support for victims and
programs to rehabilitate communities ravaged by ISIS
Present-Day Challenges and Iraq’s Goals
(2024)
Today, Iraq is focused on strengthening national
security and judicial capacity to prevent the
resurgence of ISIS and similar groups. The
government aims to bolster disarmament efforts,
especially by limiting access to weapons among
paramilitary and militia groups.
Iraq advocates for continued international support
to help it address terrorism through capacity-
building, intelligence-sharing, and sustainable
development to prevent radicalization in at-risk
communities.
Overview
This comprehensive history underlines Iraq’s
progression from state-controlled violence to today’s
multi-layered counter-terrorism and disarmament
strategy, integrating both military and socio-economic
approaches to achieve lasting peace.
