Middle East Timline By saltyfatman Jul 7, 1946 Turkey joins the United Nations Jul 10, 1946 Jordan gains its independence Apr 14, 1948 First Arab- Israeli wars begin May 14, 1948 The State of Israel declares its independence Jun 17, 1948 Britain mandate of Palestine ends Sep 3, 1948 An armistice was signed. Jul 10, 1949 Egypt, Lebanon, Transjordan, and Syria sign armistice agreement with Israel Jul 11, 1949 Libya gains its independence Jun 13, 1952 Turkey becomes a member of NATO Jul 26, 1956 Egypt Nationalizes Suez Canal Oct 6, 1956 Israel invaded Egypt Nov 3, 1956 Israel quickly took control over Gaza and the Sinai Peninsula Jun 18, 1960 Kuwait gains its independence. Sep 29, 1960 Syria gains its independence. Aug 14, 1971 Bahrain gains its independence. Aug 23, 1979 Iran forms a new government under the leadership of the Ayatollah Khomeini May 23, 1990 A unified Yemen is formed Feb 6, 1999 King Hussein of Jordan Dies May 16, 2000 Ahmet Necdet Sezer Becomes President of Turkey May 25, 2000 Israel flees out of southern Lebanon Mar 20, 2003 United States and allied forces invade Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom Mar 6, 2010 Seven Palestinians are killed as Israel shells the Gaza Strip
