Creation of Iraq

Mesopotamia was conquered and occupied by British troops during World War I. After the war the European powers created the state of Iraq (the Arabic name for Mesopotamia) as a British mandate.

In 1921 Faisal, an Arabian noble, was made king of Iraq. A series of treaties confirmed widespread British influence, but there was agitation for independence. A new treaty signed in 1930 stipulated that Iraq would receive independence when admitted to the League of Nations. Britain was granted full use of all means of communications in event of war or threat of war. Iraq also leased air bases to the British and gave them the right to train Iraqi armed forces.