The event in the Gulf By eling611 Nov 11, 1920 Iraq was entrusted to the British as a League of Nations Mandate Period: Nov 11, 1920 to Apr 7, 1954 Britain had military power in Iraq End date unsure Aug 23, 1921 Britain placed King Faisal I as the client ruler of Iraq Oct 3, 1932 Britain granted Independence to Iraq, but still maintained military bases there. Sep 8, 1933 King Faisal died Period: Sep 8, 1933 to Apr 4, 1939 King Ghazi in power Period: Apr 4, 1939 to Jul 14, 1958 King Faisal II in power Apr 1, 1941 Military Coup D’Etat and the king was deposed May 31, 1941 The Revolution was defeated Apr 7, 1954 King Faisal II was restored to Power Jul 14, 1958 King Faisal II was overthrown by a Military coup d’etat led by Abdul Salam Arif Jul 14, 1958 King Faisal II and the royal family were killed Jul 14, 1958 Iraq was declared a Republic and General Qasim was made the President Apr 7, 1959 The Ba’ath Party decided to assassinate President Qasim Apr 7, 1963 Saddam Hussein fled to Syria and then Egypt where he lived Apr 7, 1966 Saddam Hussein escapes prison and he is made head of the Revolutionary Command Council (military wing of the Ba’ath party) Apr 7, 1976 Saddam Hussein becomes head of the armed forces Jul 17, 1979 Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr steps down as president of Iraq on health grounds