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The McMahon-Hussein letters
Exchange of letters about the increase of Arab nationalism, fuelling the desire for independence -
The Arab Revolt
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Sykes-Picot Agreement
The secret agreement between Britain and France to share Turkey's Arab lands among them which angered Arab leaders. Some Arab land be under direct British/French rule and others within their influence. Most of Palestine was under international control. Britain's reasons for signing: strengthening alliance with France; trading links with the Middle East and the protection of the Suez canal -
Balfour Declaration
Britain declaring support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine -
Britain and and France granted mandates over Arab lands
Until the Arab people were ready to govern themselves. Syria and Lebanon were given to France and Palestine, Jordan and Iraq were given to Britain -
Faisal made king of Iraq
Lawrence of Arabia advised the British government to establish Faisal as the king of Syria, but made him king of Iraq instead, and recognised his older brother Abdullah, as the ruler of Transjordan. -
Turkey became a republic with Ataturk as president
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Period: to
Arab Rebellion in Palestine
Increase of Zionist settlers led to Palestinian peasants (who formed 90% of the Arab population) becoming landless and impoverished. April 1936 - Arab Higher Committee strike in hopes of changing the British Pro-Zionist position - unsuccessful; Arabs were replaced by Jewish workers. Success sought in Haifa, with more that 20 Jews killed. Civil war lasted 3 years and cost thousands of lives - British response was to hang Arab leaders and to exile some others, destroying houses suspected terrorism -
Formation of the Arab League
An organisation of Arab countries with the main goal of drawing relations closer between the member states and coordinate collaboration between them. When founded it had 7 members: Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Syrian Republic, Transjordan, and North Yemen -
Attack on the King David Hotel in Jerusalem
Terrorist attack carried out by militant right-wing Zionist underground organisation, the Irgun, on the British administrative headquarters for Palestine -
Declaration of the new state of Israel
The horrors of the Holocaust increased support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, supported by the Western powers. Seen by Palestinians and Arabs are a form of Western imposition in the Middle East -
Period: to
First Arab-Israeli war
Following Ben-Gurion's proclamation of the new state of Israel, armed forces from other Arab states invaded. 'Battle for Jerusalem' - fight for sites considered holy by both Jews and Arabs. Egyptian army for 100,000 soldiers attacked Jewish settlements on Arab land. Most invaders from the North (Syria, Iraq and Lebanon) forced to withdraw. Second stage saw dissolution of Stern Gang and Irgun. Israel lost 6000 lives - nearly 1% of Jewish population, gained 79% of land, 700,000 Palestinian refugee -
King of Egypt overthrown by army officers
Allowed to flee the country, revolution success announced over radio -
Mossadeq coup in Iran (NOT ARAB)
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Nasser becomes president of Egypt
Champion of Pan-Arabism - strengthens Arab socialist movement -
The Baghdad Pact
Anti-Soviet alliance formed by Britain, Turkey, Iran and later, Pakistan and Iraq. Nasser viewed the Pact as a form of Western intervention; led to campaign to prevent Iraq from joining -
Nasser announces Czech arms deal
Agreement to buy arms from the Czech government in return for sales of cotton and rice. Egyptian supply of weapons including Soviet aircrafts and tanks. Nasser considered a hero against Western hegemony. Conflict with Nasser's non-aligned position. -
Israeli attack on Gaza
5 Fedayeen (Arab guerrillas operating against Israel) killed by Israeli border police. Raid on Gaza strip carried out in retaliation -
Israeli forces invaded Egypt
Speed of victory over Egyptian forces exemplified IDF as the strongest force in the Middle East -
Nationalisation of Suez Canal
Canal initially under Anglo-French jurisdiction but Nasser's nationalisation restricted Great Powers' influence. Nasser planned to use the profits to build the Aswan Dam. Canal considered Britain's 'jugular vein', granting her access to key trading routes to the rest of the empire -
Suez Crisis
Britain and France destroyed most of Egypt's forces - Egypt responded by sinking ships as a means of obstructing naval advances. France agreed to sell Israel over 70 fighter planes and 200 tanks. Britain and France were forced to withdraw, marking the end of Western influence in the Arab world. Crisis heightened anti-Western sentiments and made Israel appear more of an example of Western imperialism -
Formation of Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Intergovernmental organisation of 13 nations founded by first five members (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela). As of 2022, 13 countries accounted for an estimated 40% of global oil production -
Formation of the United Arab Republic
Short lived political union between Egypt and Syria until 1961 -
Fatah set up
Largest faction under the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) - strong past involvement in revolutionary struggles and maintained several militant groups. Closely identified under the leadership of Yasser Arafat -
PLO established
Fatah amalgamated into PLO. Purpose of the 'liberation of Palestine' through armed struggle, with much of its violence aimed at Israeli civilians. -
Fatah carries out first raid on Israel
Launched terrorist raids against Israeli targets from Jordan, Lebanon and Egyptian-occupied Gaza. Members infiltrated into Israel and attempted to sabotage the National Water Carrier. Fails to explode and is later discovered by an Israeli Border Police patrol. -
Egypt signed a defence agreement with Syria
Each country would support each other if it were attacked. Soviet Union persuaded Egyptian foreign minister to sign to reduce chances of Israeli attack on Syria and bring Syrians under Nasser's influence -
May crisis led to third Arab-Israeli War (Six Day War)
April - Syria attacked an Israeli tractor working in the demilitarised area with armour plated tractors as Israeli response - escalated and led to tanks and heavy military weapons being used -
Israeli victory in third Arab-Israeli War
Cease-fire on Israel-Syrian front, Arabs lost half of their military equipment and the Jordanian air force was destroyed. There were 18,000 Arab deaths and only 700 Israeli ones. Nasser resigned after Israel took over the Sinai Peninsula and occupied Golan Heights and the West Bank, whilst taking control of Jerusalem. 350,000 Palestinian refugees, most fled to Jordan -
UN Resolution 242
Adopted unanimously by the UN in the aftermath of the Six-Day war concerning the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from the occupied territories. Idea of providing a 'just and lasting peace' in the region. Formed the basis for later peace negotiations. Israel did not acknowledge the rules of resolution and continued to practice their authority over the occupied territories -
Baathists seized power in Iraq
Bloodless military coup involving al-Bakr (1968-1979) and Saddam Hussein. Nationalised industries were privatised -
Arafat became chairman of the PLO
PLO driven bombings, shootings and assassinations against Israel and its concerns became commonplace events -
Period: to
War of attrition between Egypt and Israel
Stems from unresolved issues of the 1967 war. Egypt and Israel continue fighting through air raids. -
PLO expelled from Jordan
Expelled by King Hussein and moved to Lebanon instead -
Death of Nasser
Death of Arab nationalism, leaving a political vacuum with regards to the lack of a united forces for the Arabs. Led to increase in Western collaboration under Sadat. -
Sadat expelled Soviet advisers from Egypt
Soviets refused Egyptian demands for increased economic and military aid. Expulsion of 5,000 Soviet military advisors and 15,000 air force personnel in Egypt in response. Sadat became convinced of the need for closer relations with Washington -
Munich massacre at the Olympic games
11 Israeli Olympic team members taken hostage and eventually killed alongside a German police officer by a Palestinian terrorist group called Black September -
Yom Kippur War
Arab armies made advances into Israel while many Israeli soldiers were away observing Yom Kippur using up to date Soviet weaponry. Iraqi forces soon joined the war, and Syria received support from Jordan. US airlift of arms aided Israel. Israel seized even more territory in the Golan Heights. -
Imposition of Arab oil embargo
Members of OPEC imposed an embargo in response to US support for Israel in the October War. Caused an oil crisis, with the price of oil increasing from 3 USD/barrel to 12 US/barrel -
Arafat speech to UN
First time a non-state representative addressed the assembly. USA and Israel opposed his appearance. Sign of the recognition of Palestinians as a people. Urged to establish the legal and moral framework of a separate Palestinian people -
Sadat flew to Israel
Travel to Jerusalem to seek a permanent peace settlement. Met with Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Bring and spoke before the Knesset (Parliament) Outrage in most of the Arab world -
Israeli invasion of Lebanon
Invasion of Lebanon up to the Litani River carried out by the IDF in response to the Coastal Road massacre (an attack involving the hijacking of a bus that killed 38 Israeli civilians). Conflict resulted in the deaths of 1,100-2,000 Lebanese and Palestinians, 20 Israelis and the internal displacement of 100,00 to 250,000 people -
Saddam Hussein became president of Iraq
Less than a week later, he called an assembly of the Ba'ath Party in with 68 names were arrested and removed from the room -
Treaty of Washington between Egypt and Israel
Signed between President Sadat (Egypt) and Begin (Israel) and witnessed by Jimmy Carter. Formal signing of the agreement between Israel and Camp David from the year before. -
Islamic Revolution of Iran (NOT ARAB)
Overthrow of the US-supported Shah who was exiled. Ayatollah Khomeini invited back to Iran by the government - officially brought to power. Anti-Western authoritarian theocracy -
Period: to
Iran-Iraq War
At least half a million casualties and several billion dollars' worth of damages, but no real gains by the other side. Caused by long history of border disputes and demands for the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime. Iraq use of chemical and biological weapons against Iranian troops and civilians. US sold weapons to Iraqis largely due to US interest in containing Ayatollah Khomeini -
Assassination of President Sadat
President of Egypt assassinated during the annual victory parade held in Cairo. Sadat's Sinai treaty with Israel enraged Islamists, leading to members of the radical Islamic Jihad to assassinate him -
Syrian army attack on Hama
Under the orders of President Hafez al-Assad. Besieged the town of Hama for 27 days in order to pacify a Muslim Brotherhood uprising against the government. Speculated 40,000 casualties -
Israeli invasion of Lebanon
IDF attacked southern Lebanon after repeated attacks and counter-attacks between the PLO operating in southern Lebanon. Condemned by world - and much of its own - opinion when Christian fighters massacres hundred of Palestinian civilians as the Israeli arm stood by. Failed to make a political agreement with the Christians stick -
Start of first Palestinian Intifada
Palestinian uprising against the Israeli occupations of the West Bank and Gaza. Lasted from December 1987 until the Madrid Conference in 1991. Uprising began after an IDF truck collided with a civilian car, killing four Palestinians. Two-fold strategy of resistance and civil disobedience, consisting of general strikes, boycotts Israeli products and industries -
Iraqi invasion of Kuwait
Early 1990 - Iraq was accusing Kuwait of stealing Iraqi petroleum. Kuwaiti production of a large amount of petroleum which kept revenues down for Iraq considered a reason for invasion, especially as Iraq was unable to pay more than US$14 billion that had been borrowed to finance the Iran-Iraq war. Resulted in the seven-month long occupation of Kuwait -
First Gulf War
War waged by coalition forces from 35 nations led by the US in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait. Great majority of the coalition's military forces were from the US, with Saudi Arabia, the UK, and Egypt as leading contributors. Peace terms accepted by Saddam: Iraq would recognise Kuwait's sovereignty and would get rid of all its weapons of mass destruction. Estimated 8,000 to 10,000 Iraqi forces killed compared to only 300 coalition troops -
Israel-Jordan peace treaty
Peace accord with Israel, settled relations between the countries. Adjusted land and water disputes. Pledged that neither Jordan or Israel would allow its territory to become a staging ground for military strikes by a third country -
Beginning of the second Intifada
Second Palestinian uprising against Israel - a period of intensified Israeli-Palestinian violence. Began when Ariel Sharon made a visit to the Temple Mount - seen by Palestinians as highly provocative. Palestinian demonstrators, throwing stones at the police, were dispersed by the Israeli army using tear gas and rubber bullets. Death toll estimated to be about 3,000 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis as well as 64 foreigners -
9/11 attack on New York and Washington DC
Series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. Killing 2,996 people, injuring over 6,000 others. Two planes crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade centre. Third place crashed into the Pentagon and the fourth into a field -
US invasion of Iraq: Second Gulf War
Consisted of 21 days of major combat operations - combined force of troops from the US, the UK, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq to depose the Ba'athist government of Saddam Hussein -
Death of Yasser Arafat
Caused by cerebral haemorrhage, cause of death debated over natural or instigated by political enemies (Israel) -
Israel invasion of Lebanon
Invasion after 8 Israeli soldiers killed and two captured by Lebanese group Hezbollah -
HAMAS victory in Palestinian elections
HAMAS win 76 of the 132 seats in the chamber. Posed problems for efforts to restart peace talks with Israel, who insisted it would not deal with an authority including HAMAS -
War in Lebanon
Israel and Hezbollah engaged in a 33-day war in which Hezbollah fired a hail of rockets into Israel and the Israelis bombed Lebanese towns, villages and infrastructure, but made little headway in ground operations -
War in Gaza
Three week armed conflict between Palestinians in the Gaza strip and Israel, ending in a unilateral ceasefire. Israel's stated goal to stop indiscriminate Palestinian rocket fire into Israel and weapons smuggling into the Gaza Strip. Attacked police stations, military targets including weapons caches and suspected rocket firing teams, striking in the densely population cities of Gaza, Khan Yunis and Rafah. Conflict resulted in between 1,166-1,417 Palestinian and 13 Israeli deaths -
'Arab Spring'
Series of anti-government protests and armed rebellions spreading across the Middle East. Caused by disillusionment of the masses due to long regime under Mubarak and increased levels of youth unemployment. Expression of deep-seated resentment at the aging Arab dictatorships, anger at the brutality of security, unemployment, rising prices and corruption that followed the privatisation of state access in some countries. Egypt and Tunisia wanted to overthrow their presidents. Considered a failure. -
Last US troops left Iraq
End of 9 year war in Iraq with cooperation on energy, trade and education as well as security, counter-terrorism, economic development and strengthening Iraq's institutions. President Obama claims the US was leaving behind a 'sovereign, stable and self-reliant' Iraq