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{{Short description|1930s–1940s cabal of pro-fascist Iraqi military officers}}
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The '''Golden Square''' ({{lang-ar|المربع الذهبي}}) or '''Four Colonels''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: '''العقداء الأربعة''') was a cabal of pro-Fascist army officers of the [[Kingdom of Iraq|Iraqi]] armed forces who played a part in Iraqi politics throughout the 1930s and early 1940s. The activities of the Golden Square culminated in supporting [[Rashid Ali al-Gaylani]] in his [[1941 Iraqi coup d'état|overthrow of government in 1941]],<ref>[[Time Magazine]], ''Trouble in Paradise''</ref> briefly instituting the Golden Square 'National Defense Government'.
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox militant organization
| name = Golden Square
| logo =
| caption =
| native_name = المربع الذهبي
| native_name_lang = ar
| other_name =
| leader = [[Salah al-Din al-Sabbagh]]<br>[[Kamil Shabib]]<br>[[Fahmi Said]]<br>[[Mahmud Salman]]
| foundation =
| dates = {{Start date|1930||}}–{{End date|1941||}}
| dissolved =
| merger =
| split =
| predecessor =
| merged =
| successor =
| country = {{flag|Kingdom of Iraq|name=Kingdom of Iraq}}
| allegiance =
| motives = Overthrow of the [[Kingdom of Iraq]]
| area =
| headquarters = [[Baghdad]], Iraq
| newspaper =
| ideology = [[Arab nationalism|Arab ultranationalism]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=The German Side of the War in the Middle East 1939-1942|page=41|publisher=Stanford University|year=1962|quote=the notorious "Golden Square", four young ultra-nationalist colonels}}</ref><br>[[Pan-Arabism]]<br>[[Nazism]]<br>[[Fascism]]
| position = [[Far-right politics|Far-right]]
| crimes =
| attacks = [[1941 Iraqi coup d'état]]
| status =
| size =
| revenue =
| financing =
| partof = [[Axis Powers]]
| allies = {{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_Arab_Federation.svg}} [[Party of National Brotherhood|National Brotherhood Party]]<br>{{flag|Nazi Germany}}<br>{{flag|Fascist Italy (1922–1943)|name=Fascist Italy}}<br>{{flag|Vichy France}}
| opponents = {{flag|British Empire}}<br>{{flagicon image|Mecca (Ottoman Empire).svg}} [[Hashemites]]
| battles = [[Anglo-Iraqi War]]
| flag =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
| module =
| module2 =
| module3 =
| module4 =
| module5 =
| module6 =
}}


⚫
The '''Golden Square''' ({{langx|ar|المربع الذهبي}}, ''al-Murabbaʿ al-dhahabī''), also known as the '''Four Colonels''' ({{langx|ar|العقداء الأربعة}}, ''al-ʿiqdā' al-arbaʿa''), was a [[cabal]] of pro-[[Fascist]] and pro [[Nazism|Nazi]] army officers of the [[Kingdom of Iraq|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 [[1941 Iraqi coup d'état|overthrow of government in 1941]],<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,772682,00.html |title=Near East: Trouble in Paradise |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=21 April 1941}}</ref> briefly instituting the Golden Square National Defense Government. However, the [[Anglo-Iraqi War]] resulted in the disbandment of the Golden Square.
They conspired to overthrow the Hashemite monarchy in Iraq and expel British forces. The British intervened and three of the plotters, and many of their supporters, were put to death.

The officers desired full independence from Britain, and the formation of a pan-Arab state from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, and a settlement of the [[intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=eARMOR Axis and Allied Strategic Posturing in Palestine: Hidden Lessons from World War II |url=https://www.moore.army.mil/armor/EArmor/content/Historical/Aboul-Enein2.html |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=www.moore.army.mil}}</ref>


==Details==
==Details==
The "Golden Square" included the four most important leaders of the "Circle of Seven." The Circle of Seven was a group of [[Sunni]] [[Arab nationalism|Arab nationalist]] military officers who were greatly influenced by [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[Ambassador]] [[Fritz Grobba]] and, in turn, greatly influenced politics in Iraq during the 1930s and early 1940s.<ref>Tripp, p. 99</ref>
The Golden Square included the four most important leaders of the "Circle of Seven". The Circle of Seven was a group of [[Sunni]] [[Arab nationalism|Arab nationalist]] military officers who were greatly influenced by [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[Ambassador]] [[Fritz Grobba]] and, in turn, greatly influenced politics in Iraq during the 1930s and early 1940s.<ref>Tripp, p. 99</ref>


==Members==
==Members==
The 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-[[Iraqi Army|Army]] officer, was the Chief of the [[Iraqi Air Force|Air Force]].<ref>Lyman, p. 21</ref>
The 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-[[Iraqi Army|Army]] officer, was the chief of the [[Iraqi Air Force|Air Force]].<ref>Lyman, p. 21</ref>


The members of the Golden Square were virulently anti-[[United Kingdom|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 Germany to support them and, for his part, Grobba enthusiastically encouraged them to do so.<ref>Lyman, p. 11</ref>
The members of the Golden Square were virulently [[Anti-British sentiment|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 [[Relations between Nazi Germany and the Arab world|support them]] and, for his part, Grobba enthusiastically encouraged them to do so.<ref>Lyman, p. 11</ref>


==Iraqi coup d'état==
==Iraqi coup d'état==
On 1 April 1941, Rashid Ali and the Golden Square launched a [[1941 Iraqi coup d'état|''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]].<ref>Time Magazine, ''Everybody Loses''</ref>
On 1 April 1941, Rashid Ali and the Golden Square launched a [[1941 Iraqi coup d'état|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]]. Shabib, Said, Salman, Sabbagh were all eventually returned to Iraq and executed.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,795336,00.html |title=World War: Middle Eastern Theater: Everybody Loses |magazine=Time |date=9 June 1941}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 23: Line 69:


== References ==
== References ==
*{{cite book| first=Ibrahim |last=Al-Marashi | authorlink=|author2=Salama, Sammy| series= | title=Iraq's armed forces: An analytical history | url=https://archive.org/details/iraqsarmedforces0000alma | url-access=registration | publisher=Routledge | location=Oxon and New York| year=2008 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/iraqsarmedforces0000alma/page/254 254] | isbn=0-415-40078-3 }}
*{{cite book| first=Ibrahim |last=Al-Marashi |author2=Salama, Sammy| title=Iraq's armed forces: An analytical history | url=https://archive.org/details/iraqsarmedforces0000alma | url-access=registration | publisher=Routledge | location=Oxon and New York| year=2008 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/iraqsarmedforces0000alma/page/254 254] | isbn=978-0-415-40078-7 }}
*{{cite book| first=Robert|last=Lyman| authorlink=| series=Campaign| title=Iraq 1941: The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad| publisher=Osprey Publishing | location=Oxford and New York| year=2006 | pages=96 | isbn=1-84176-991-6}}
*{{cite book| first=Robert|last=Lyman| series=Campaign| title=Iraq 1941: The Battles for Basra, Habbaniya, Fallujah and Baghdad| publisher=Osprey Publishing | location=Oxford and New York| year=2006 | pages=96 | isbn=1-84176-991-6}}
*{{cite book| first= Mohammad A. |last=Tarbush | authorlink=| series=Campaign| title=The Role of the Military in Politics: A Case Study of Iraq to 1941 | publisher=Kegan Paul | location=London and Boston| year=1982 | pages=285 | isbn=978-0-7103-0124-6 }}
*{{cite book| first= Mohammad A. |last=Tarbush | series=Campaign| title=The Role of the Military in Politics: A Case Study of Iraq to 1941 | publisher=Kegan Paul | location=London and Boston| year=1982 | pages=285 | isbn=978-0-7103-0124-6 }}
*{{cite book| first=Charles |last=Tripp | authorlink=| series= | title=A History of Iraq | publisher=Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge | location=Cambridge | year=2002 | pages=311 | isbn=978-0-521-52900-6}}
*{{cite book| first=Charles |last=Tripp | title=A History of Iraq | publisher=Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge | location=Cambridge | year=2002 | pages=311 | isbn=978-0-521-52900-6}}


{{Collaboration with Axis Powers}}
==External links==
[[Category:Anti-British sentiment]]
*{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,772682,00.html|title=Trouble in Paradise.|work=[[Time Magazine]]|date=April 21, 1941|accessdate=July 15, 2009}}
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[[Category:Fascism in Iraq]]
*{{cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,795336,00.html|title=Everybody Loses.|work=Time Magazine|date=June 9, 1941|accessdate=February 2, 2010}}
⚫
[[Category:1941 disestablishments in Iraq]]

⚫
[[Category:Arab nationalism in Iraq]]
[[Category:Arab nationalist organizations]]
[[Category:20th century in Iraq]]
[[Category:20th century in Iraq]]
[[Category:Far-right politics in Asia]]
[[Category:Arab nationalist organizations]]
[[Category:Military history of Iraq]]
[[Category:Middle East theatre of World War II]]
⚫
[[Category:1941 in Iraq]]
[[Category:Fascism in the Arab world]]
[[Category:Fascism in the Arab world]]
[[Category:Collaboration with Fascist Italy]]
[[Category:Collaboration with Nazi Germany]]
[[Category:Collaboration with Imperial Japan]]

Latest revision as of 05:50, 17 November 2024

Golden Square
المربع الذهبي
LeaderSalah al-Din al-Sabbagh
Kamil Shabib
Fahmi Said
Mahmud Salman
Dates of operation1930 (1930)–1941 (1941)
Country Kingdom of Iraq
MotivesOverthrow of the Kingdom of Iraq
HeadquartersBaghdad, Iraq
IdeologyArab ultranationalism[1]
Pan-Arabism
Nazism
Fascism
Political positionFar-right
Notable attacks1941 Iraqi coup d'état
Part ofAxis Powers
Allies National Brotherhood Party
 Nazi Germany
 Fascist Italy
 Vichy France
Opponents British Empire
Hashemites
Battles and warsAnglo-Iraqi War

The Golden Square (Arabic: المربع الذهبي, al-Murabbaʿ al-dhahabī), also known as the Four Colonels (Arabic: العقداء الأربعة, al-ʿiqdā' al-arbaʿa), was a cabal of pro-Fascist and pro Nazi 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,[2] briefly instituting the Golden Square National Defense Government. However, the Anglo-Iraqi War resulted in the disbandment of the Golden Square.

The officers desired full independence from Britain, and the formation of a pan-Arab state from Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, and a settlement of the intercommunal conflict in Mandatory Palestine.[3]

Details

[edit]

The 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.[4]

Members

[edit]

The 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.[5]

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.[6]

Iraqi coup d'état

[edit]

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. Shabib, Said, Salman, Sabbagh were all eventually returned to Iraq and executed.[7]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The German Side of the War in the Middle East 1939-1942. Stanford University. 1962. p. 41. the notorious "Golden Square", four young ultra-nationalist colonels
  2. ^ "Near East: Trouble in Paradise". Time. 21 April 1941.
  3. ^ "eARMOR Axis and Allied Strategic Posturing in Palestine: Hidden Lessons from World War II". www.moore.army.mil. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  4. ^ Tripp, p. 99
  5. ^ Lyman, p. 21
  6. ^ Lyman, p. 11
  7. ^ "World War: Middle Eastern Theater: Everybody Loses". Time. 9 June 1941.

References

[edit]
  • Al-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.
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