Iraq: Difference between revisions
imported>Tom Morris (started stub article on Iraq so I can rightfully claim Write-A-Thon partier status) |
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz (Basic updates) |
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'''Iraq''' is a country in the [[Middle East]] (or Western Asia), sharing borders with [[Kuwait]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Syria]], [[Iran]], [[Jordan]] and [[Turkey]]. It has two main rivers, the [[Tigris]] and the [[Euphrates]] | '''Iraq''' is a country in the [[Middle East]] (or Western Asia), sharing borders with [[Kuwait]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Syria]], [[Iran]], [[Jordan]] and [[Turkey]]. It has two main rivers, the [[Tigris]] and the [[Euphrates]]. | ||
Iraq is currently in the process of transition from rule by the [[United States]] and | In classical times, its main region was known as [[Mesopotamia]], and the civilisations which populated it as far back as 5,000 BCE were responsible for a lot of early intellectual culture. | ||
The modern boundaries of Iraq go back to the 1920s, when the British joined three former districts of the [[Ottoman Empire]]. Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of [[World War I]]; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. | |||
In the last several decades, Iraq has been involved in three major wars: | |||
*'''[[Iran-Iraq War]]''' between 1980 and 1988, triggered by an Iraqi invasion of Iran, | |||
*'''[[Gulf War]]''', fought by a [[United Nations]] authorized coalition after the 1990 invasion of [[Kuwait]] by Iraq, | |||
*'''[[Iraq War]]''', begun by a US-led coalition, without UN sponsorship, in 2003. | |||
The three wars were fought with [[Saddam Hussein]] as head of state and government. Following the Iraq War, Hussein was tried by the new government and executed, by hanging, on 30 December 2006. | |||
==Occupation following 2003 war== | |||
==Evolving new government== | |||
Iraq is currently in the process of transition from rule by the [[United States]] and its allies in the [[Iraq War]] to giving power to the Iraqi Provisional Authority. Before the current conflict started on the 20th of March, 2003, Iraq was ruled by the now deposed and executed [[Saddam Hussein]]. | |||
Revision as of 17:06, 9 July 2008
Iraq is a country in the Middle East (or Western Asia), sharing borders with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Jordan and Turkey. It has two main rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates.
In classical times, its main region was known as Mesopotamia, and the civilisations which populated it as far back as 5,000 BCE were responsible for a lot of early intellectual culture.
The modern boundaries of Iraq go back to the 1920s, when the British joined three former districts of the Ottoman Empire. Iraq was occupied by Britain during the course of World War I; in 1920, it was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration. In stages over the next dozen years, Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932.
In the last several decades, Iraq has been involved in three major wars:
- Iran-Iraq War between 1980 and 1988, triggered by an Iraqi invasion of Iran,
- Gulf War, fought by a United Nations authorized coalition after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraq,
- Iraq War, begun by a US-led coalition, without UN sponsorship, in 2003.
The three wars were fought with Saddam Hussein as head of state and government. Following the Iraq War, Hussein was tried by the new government and executed, by hanging, on 30 December 2006.
Occupation following 2003 war
Evolving new government
Iraq is currently in the process of transition from rule by the United States and its allies in the Iraq War to giving power to the Iraqi Provisional Authority. Before the current conflict started on the 20th of March, 2003, Iraq was ruled by the now deposed and executed Saddam Hussein.