<SANITIZED> REPORT ON THE IRAQI COUP

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05295410
• 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 9, 1963

CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
v
This material containt informatn io affecting the NatiOnal Defense Of the U 9* States with
nthe rneaning of the Eso il 1..1 io &o-n, T,I141 IS, U�S C Sir t
793 and 794, the transmittion or revelation of which In any manna, to An UM Or ItSd Otii1011 il Or Ohlbitt d by law,
CO T1AL
(When filled In)
COUNTRY IRAQ
SUBJECT
DATE OF
INFO.
PLACE &
DATE ACQ.
APPRAISAL
THIS IS
SOURCE
CLASSIFICATION SEMINATIONCONTROLS
NO FOREIGN DIS
UNEVALUATED INFORMATION.
FIELD REPORT NO,
SOURCE GRADINGS ARE DEFINITIVE, APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
2. THE 6TH ARMORED BRIGADE,
IRAQ ON MORNING ON 8 FEBRUARY BEGINNING BY TAKING CONTROL OF THE
WEST BANK OF THE R I VER THIS UN 1 T HAD ABOUT 53 OFFICERS RET I RED
10 DAYS EARLIER BECAUSE OF THEIR ANTI QASIM ACTIVITIES. THEN THE
MILITARY UNIT AT CAMP RASHID, ON. OPPOSITE
BAGHDAD ALSO JOINED THE COUP.
3. FRIDAY WAS PICKED FOR REVOLT BECAUSE SENIOR OFFICERS WERE
LIKELY TO BE ABSENT FROM THEIR UNITS ON THIS DAY. MOST OFFICERS
INC AND SuRp0RTJNn TPF cntip:ARFM/nUNn.
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BY GROUP OF OFFICERS.
6. IRAQI GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO STAY AWAY
FROM WORK, EXCEPT IN CERTAIN ESSENTIAL FIELDS SUCH AS POWER HOUSE,
WATER PUMPING, AND COMMUNICATION INSTALLATIONS. SUCH WORKERS GIVEN
PHONE NUMBER TO CALL TO DETERMINE IF THEY NEEDED. THOSE REQUIRED
FOR WORK BEING PICKED UP Al HOUSES BY GOVERNMENT VEHICLES IN ORDER
TO ASSURE SAFE PASSAGE THROUGH STREETS
7. STRUGGLE WITH QASIM FORCES STILL GOING ON 9 FEBRUARY.
PRO-QASIM ELEMENTS EXIST AMONG WORKERS, AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AND
COMMUNISTS. SOME FIGHTING STILL GOING ON IN BAGHDAD WITH COMMUNISTS.
8. COUP APPEARS TO BE 80 PER CENT IN FAVOR OF BATH PARTY, WHICH
IS MUCH DIVIDED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE EXACT ALIGNMENT
REVOLUTIONARY REGIME TOWARD NASIR.-
9. MILITARY UNITS OUTSIDE BAGHDAD WHICH HAVE NOT OPPOSED REVOLT,
GIVE IMPRESSION OF WATCHFUL WAITING PENDING CLARIFICATION Of SITUATION.
THIS IS TRUE OF UNITS DISPOSED IN KURDISTAN AND
THE OTHER, AN AIR
10. TWO MINISTERS IN NEW CABINET ARE
KURDS, BABA ALI, MINISTER
CLASSIFICATION �DIuEiipoN CONTROLS
NO FORE101.11SSEM
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CONFI
LASSIFICATION �DISSEMINATION CONTROLS
NO FEIGN ME
4. THERE WERE ONLY TWO UNITS OR GROUPS.OF UNITS WILLING
TO FIGHT FOR QASIM--ONE IN THE WAR MINISTRY
FORCE UNIT, POSSIBLY TECHNICAL AT CAMP TAJI, NEAR BAGHDAD. LATTER
SURRENDERED FRIDAY AT 1730 HOURS LOCAL TIME.
QASIM FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN STREET SURROUNDED (b)(1)
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SSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS
NO FOREIGN MSS
AGRICULTURE: AND GENERAL FUAD ARIF,
MEMBER OF KURDISH DEMOCRAT PART
MOSUL RESIDENTS, SUGGESTING THAT.
EFFECT RECONCILIATION WITH KURDS. HOWEVER, IT IS UNCERTAIN THAT ALL
KURDISH DEMANbS WILL BE MET.
11. TANKS ARE PATROLLING BAGHDAD AND FIRING OCCASION SHOTS
IN THE AIR TO IMPRESS THE POPULATION 'THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF
AMBULANCE TRAFFIC INDICATING MANY WOUNDED AT THE SCENES OF ACTUAL
FIGHTING.
12. TOO EARLY TO ACCEPT COUP AS SUCCESSFUL AND NEW REGIME
FIRMLY ESTABLISHED. HOWEVER FAVORABLE INDICATIONS ARE FAILURE OF
ANY MILITARY UNITS TO COUNTERATTACK QASIM'S BEHALF: OCCUPATION OF
STRATEGIC PLACES IN BAGHDAD BY INSURGENTS: REPLACEMENT OF GENDARMERIE,
POLICE, AND NATIONAL GUARD HEADED BY BATHISTS.
13. COMMENT: IT IS UNREASdNABLE AT THIS STAGE TO
THINK THAT NEW IRAQI GOVERNMENT WILL SEEK UNION WITH EGYPT, BUT
BETTER RELATIONS WITH NASER CAN BE PREDICTED. ALSO, A LESS FAVORABLE
RELATION WITH IRAN CAN BE EXPECTED)
14. FIELD DISSEM STATE ARMY NAVY AIR CINCSOUTH (PERSONAL)
CINCNELM EUCOM
MINISTER
AND A.LEADING
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:THE NEW MINISTERS ARE
EFFORTS WILL BE MADE TO
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CLASSIFICATION - DISSEMINATION CONTROLS
NO FOREIGN D1SSEM
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