IMPACT OF THE IRAQI COUP ON THE NEAR EAST

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06810171
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 30, 2019
• Case Number: F-2018-01337
• Publication Date: February 15, 1963

Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06810171
5'747Ff
COPY NO. 75
OCI NO. 0267/63
15 February 1963
CURRENT
INTELLIGENCE
WEEKLY
SUMMARY
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCE
(b)(3)
GROUP 1
Excluded from automatic
downgrading and
declassification
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06810171
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06810171
sIREz
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY
15 February 1963
THE WEEK IN BRIEF
(Information as of 1200 EST 14 Feb)
IMPACT OF THE IRAQI COUP ON THE NEAR EAST Page 1
The coup in Iraq on 8 February has reverberated through-
out the Arab world and has encouraged various proponents of
a pan-Arab state, especially in Syria. Cairo realizes that
the new regime in Baghdad will be an independent one and
is promoting friendly relations with it. At the same time,
the UAR is trying to capitalize on the uncertainty engendered
by the coup by stepping up its call for the overthrow of
"reactionary" regimes in Syria and Jordan. The new Iraqi
Government, meanwhile, is consolidating its control by ar-
resting local Communists and suppressing all pro-Nasir activi-
ties. (b)(3)
NR R
h'CR 7.Fa
BRIEFS
cord
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06810171
Approved for Release: 2019/07/30 C06810171
CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY
WEEKLY REVIEW
IMPACT OF THE IRAQI COUP ON THE NEAR EAST
The coup in Iraq on 8 Feb-
ruary has reverberated through-
out the Arab world.
Its greatest repercussions
have come in syria where the
struggle for power has intensi-
fied. Syrian socialist Baathists,
including both feuding factions,
are greatly encouraged by the
sudden success of their fellow
ideologists in Baghdad and now
are pushing for a change of
regime in Damascus. Their
objective is to gain power either
peaceably or by coup, and then
to negotiate for union with Iraq.
The coup in Iraq has created
such a bandwagon atmosphere in
Syria for union with Iraq that
Syrian Foreign Minister Asad
Mahasin confided to the American
ambassador on 12 February that
even President Qudsi is toying
with the idea. Mahasin said
the Azm cabinet had "fallen
apart" and that there was no
Syrian government.
Political alignments among
Syria's politicians and army
officers are likely to change
with great rapidity during the
days ahead as the various blocs
align their forces.
4
The new Iraqi regime, headed
by figurehead president Abd al-
Salam An!, is moving rapidly
to normalize the situation. The
21-man cabinet is dominated by
members of the Baath party. It
also includes a few representa-
tives from other nationalist
parties and two Kurds. Arif
was appointed in an effort to
attract nationalist support for
15 Feb 63
the regime, and he is under
strict wraps imposed by the
Baathist leaders. The leaders
emphasize that they intend to
return to civilian government
soon.
The coup may lead to a settle-
ment of the 20-month-old Kurdish
revolt. The new regime is likely
to respond eagerly to any over-
ture from rebel leader Barzani.
Large numbers of Communists
are being rounded up throughout
the country. Armed Communist
resistance was particularly
bitter in al-Kazemain, an old and
traditionally troublesome Baghdad
suburb.
Iraqi authorities are dis-
couraging pro-UAR activities and
have banned the distribution of
pictures of Nasir and even of
An!.
Nasir is attempting to cap-
italize on the Iraqi coup as
an expression of his brand of
Arab nationalism, but Cairo
realizes that the Iraqi regime
desires to be independent of
his influence. Meanwhile, the
clandestine UAR radio is calling
for the overthrow of the Syrian,
Jordanian, and Saudi regimes.
The Jordanian Government,
at first alarmed by the Iraqi
coup, now has canceled a state
of alert ordered for its army
and air force. The government
also had considered establishing
martial law but finally decidpd
against it.
REZ
WEEKLY REVIEW
Page 1 of 26
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