The Middle East, 1941

Great Britain had gained nothing in the attempt to aid Greece, and the withdrawal of troops from North Africa had resulted in a defeat there. Efforts to secure the Middle East proved more successful.

In April, 1941, a group of pro-Axis politicians and army officers seized control of the government of Iraq and asked for German aid. Britain had troops and airfields in Iraq, a former British mandate, and to protect these and maintain control of the country the British began landing reinforcements at Basra on April 19. The British air base at Habbaniya, which had been under attack by Iraqi troops since May 1, was reached on May 18, and on May 30 the government of Iraq collapsed. On June 4 a new pro-British government was formed.

Provoked by German use of airfields in French-controlled Syria and uncertain where Vichy France stood, British and Free French troops on June 21 invaded Syria from Palestine, Trans-Jordan, and Iraq. Damascus was taken on June 21 and resistance ended on July 12 with the installation of a Free French government.

British and Soviet troops moved to end Axis penetration of Iran on August 25, 1941. The shah (ruler) abdicated on September 16 and an agreement was made on joint occupation.