# Rashid Ali al-Gaylani > Iraqi politician and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq (1892-1965) **Wikidata**: [Q369936](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q369936) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashid_Ali_al-Gaylani) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rashid-ali-al-gaylani ## Summary Rashid Ali al-Gaylani was an Iraqi politician who served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq from 1940 to 1941. He is best known for leading the pro-Axis "Golden Square" coup during World War II and his subsequent alliance with Nazi Germany. ## Biography - Born: 1892 - Nationality: Iraqi - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Serving as Prime Minister of Iraq and leading pro-Axis coup - Employer(s): Government of Iraq - Field(s): Politics, government leadership ## Contributions Rashid Ali al-Gaylani's most significant political contribution was his role as Prime Minister of Iraq from April to May 1940, and again from April to May 1941. During his second term, he led the "Golden Square" coup d'état against the pro-British government, establishing a pro-Axis regime that sought support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy during World War II. This alliance ultimately led to the Anglo-Iraqi War of 1941, resulting in British intervention and his overthrow. ## FAQs Where did Rashid Ali al-Gaylani serve as Prime Minister? He served as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq twice - first from April to May 1940, and again from April to May 1941. What was Rashid Ali al-Gaylani's political alignment during World War II? He led a pro-Axis government during his second term as Prime Minister, seeking support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy against British influence in Iraq. What was the outcome of Rashid Ali al-Gaylani's pro-Axis government? His government was overthrown by British forces during the Anglo-Iraqi War of 1941, after which he went into exile. ## Why They Matter Rashid Ali al-Gaylani's brief but significant political career had lasting implications for Iraq's relationship with both Britain and the Axis powers during World War II. His pro-Axis coup represented one of the few instances of an Arab leader openly aligning with Nazi Germany, challenging British dominance in the Middle East. The Anglo-Iraqi War that followed his coup demonstrated the strategic importance of Iraq's oil resources and its geopolitical position, ultimately strengthening British influence in the region while also fueling Arab nationalist sentiments that would shape future political movements. ## Notable For - Leading the pro-Axis "Golden Square" coup in Iraq in 1941 - Serving as Prime Minister of Iraq during a critical period of World War II - Establishing one of the few Arab alliances with Nazi Germany - Triggering the Anglo-Iraqi War of 1941 - Representing a significant challenge to British hegemony in the Middle East ## Body ### Early Life and Political Rise Rashid Ali al-Gaylani was born in 1892 in Iraq during the Ottoman period. He emerged as a prominent political figure in the 1930s, representing nationalist sentiments that opposed British influence in Iraq following the country's independence in 1932. ### First Term as Prime Minister Al-Gaylani's first term as Prime Minister began in April 1940, lasting only until May of the same year. This brief tenure occurred during the early stages of World War II, when Iraq maintained a position of neutrality while Britain fought against the Axis powers. ### The Golden Square Coup His second and more consequential term began in April 1941, when he led the "Golden Square" - a group of four nationalist Iraqi generals - in a coup d'état against the pro-British government of Regent 'Abd al-Ilah and Prime Minister Taha al-Hashimi. This coup represented a dramatic shift in Iraq's political alignment during the war. ### Pro-Axis Alliance During his second term, al-Gaylani actively sought support from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, viewing them as potential allies against British dominance in the Middle East. He allowed German and Italian aircraft to operate from Iraqi airfields and sought military assistance to resist any British intervention. ### The Anglo-Iraqi War The British responded forcefully to al-Gaylani's pro-Axis alignment. In May 1941, British forces from Transjordan and the Persian Gulf launched military operations against Iraq, known as the Anglo-Iraqi War. Despite some initial resistance, the Iraqi forces were overwhelmed by superior British military power. ### Exile and Later Life Following the British victory and the collapse of his government, al-Gaylani fled to Iran (then Persia) and later to Germany, where he remained in exile during the remainder of World War II. He returned to Iraq after the war but never regained significant political power, living in relative obscurity until his death in 1965. ### Historical Significance Al-Gaylani's brief pro-Axis government represented a unique moment in Middle Eastern history during World War II. His actions demonstrated the complex political dynamics in the region, where nationalist movements sometimes aligned with fascist powers against colonial influence. The Anglo-Iraqi War that followed his coup highlighted Iraq's strategic importance due to its oil resources and geographic position between British-controlled territories. ### Legacy While al-Gaylani's political career was relatively short-lived, his pro-Axis coup and the subsequent British intervention had lasting effects on Iraqi politics. The event strengthened nationalist sentiments and anti-British feelings among many Iraqis, contributing to the political climate that would eventually lead to the 1958 revolution and the end of the monarchy. His alliance with Nazi Germany also became a controversial aspect of his legacy, particularly in how it intersected with Arab nationalist movements and their complex relationship with European fascism. ## References 1. general catalog of BnF 2. BnF authorities 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 6. IdRef 7. [Source](http://purl.org/pressemappe20/beaconlist/pe)