Abdul Salam Arif

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Abdul Salam Arif

Role / Field:

Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the second president of Iraq.

Born:

1921-03-21

Died:

1966-04-13

Century / Era:

1921s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Abdul Salam Mohammed ʿArif Al-Jumaili (Arabic: عبد السلام محمد عارف الجميليʿAbd al-Salām Muḥammad ʿĀrif al-Jumaylī; 21 March 1921 – 13 April 1966) was an Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the second president of Iraq from 1963 until his death in a plane crash in 1966. He played a leading role in the 14 July Revolution, in which the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq was overthrown on 14 July 1958. Along with Abdel Karim Qasim and other Iraqi military officers, Arif was a member of the clandestine organisation, the Free Officers of Iraq. Like Qasim, Arif served with distinction in the otherwise unsuccessful 1948 Arab–Israeli War, where he captured Jenin in what is now the West Bank part of Palestine from Israeli Defence Forces. During the summer of 1958, Prime Minister Nuri al-Said ordered Iraqi troops under Arif to aid Jordan, as part of an agreement of the Arab Federation.

Career & Major Achievements

Instead, however, he led his army units into Baghdad and on 14 July launched a coup against the Hashemite monarchy. Qasim formed a government under the newly proclaimed republic and Arif, his chief aide, was appointed deputy prime minister, interior minister, and deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Almost immediately however, tensions rose between the pan-Arabist Arif and Iraqi nationalist Qasim who also had the support of the Iraqi Communist Party. The former supported a union with the United Arab Republic (UAR) — composed of Egypt and Syria — under president Gamal Abdel Nasser, but the latter opposed merging with the UAR. As a result, the two leaders engaged in a power struggle, ending in Qasim prevailing and the removal of Arif from his positions on 12 September.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He was appointed the low-ranking post of ambassador to Bonn. Arif refused to take up the post and upon returning to Baghdad on 4 November, he was promptly arrested for plotting against the state. He was sentenced to death along with Rashid Ali al-Gaylani in February 1959. Qasim had him released in November 1961. Qasim was overthrown on 8 February 1963, by a coalition of Ba'athists, army units, and other pan-Arabist groups.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1921 (1921-03-21): Birth of Abdul Salam Arif — Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the second president of Iraq.
2. 1948: 1948 Milestone — Like Qasim, Arif served with distinction in the otherwise unsuccessful 1948 Arab–Israeli War, where he captured Jenin in what is now the West Bank part of Palestine from Israeli Defence Forces.
3. 1958: 1958 Milestone — He played a leading role in the 14 July Revolution, in which the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq was overthrown on 14 July 1958.
4. 1959: 1959 Milestone — He was sentenced to death along with Rashid Ali al-Gaylani in February 1959.
5. 1961: 1961 Milestone — Qasim had him released in November 1961.
6. 1963: 1963 Milestone — Qasim was overthrown on 8 February 1963, by a coalition of Ba'athists, army units, and other pan-Arabist groups.
7. 1966 (1966-04-13): Passing & Historical Legacy — Abdul Salam Arif passed away on 1966-04-13, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Abdul Salam Arif

True or False: “Abdul Salam Arif was initially appointed deputy prime minister after the 1958 coup, but this position was temporary.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): He held that role until tensions with Abdel Karim Qasim escalated, leading to his removal from key positions by September 12, 1958.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Abdul Salam Arif