Faisal II of Iraq
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Faisal II (Arabic: الملك فيصل الثاني Fayṣal) (May 2, 1935 – July 14, 1958) was Iraq's last king. He reigned from 4 April 1939 until his death.
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[edit] Family & early life
He was the son of the second king of Iraq, Ghazi, who was killed in an mysterious motor car accident when Faisal was three. For most of his reign his uncle 'Abd al-Ilah ruled as regent until Faisal came of age in 1953.
As a teenager, Faisal attended Harrow School in the United Kingdom with his cousin King Hussein of Jordan. The two boys were close and, reportedly, planned even then to merge their two realms to counter what they considered the threat of militant pan-Arab nationalism.
On February 1, 1958 neighbouring Syria joined with Nasser's Egypt to form the United Arab Republic. This prompted the Hashemite kingdoms of Iraq and Jordan to strengthen their position by establishing a similar defence. Just two weeks later, on February 14, this was signed into existence as the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan. Faisal, as the senior member of the Hashemite family, became head of state. However, the reign of Faisal, together with the new state, came to an end a mere five months later. During the summer Hussein asked for Iraqi military assistance in Jordan.
[edit] Killing
On 14 July, 1958, when Colonel Abdul Karim Qassim took control of the Kingdom of Iraq by a coup d'etat, the Royal family was ordered to leave their Palace in Baghdad. The group consisted of King Faisal II; Crown Prince 'Abd al-Ilah; Princess Hiyam, Abdul Ilah's wife; Princess Nafeesa, Abdul Ilah’s mother, Princess Abadiya, the king’s aunt; and several servants.
When all of them had congregated in the courtyard they were told to turn towards the Palace wall, they were all then executed by firing squad under the command of Captain Abdus Sattar As Sab, a member of the coup d'état led by Colonel Abdul Karim Qassim. Nuri as-Said the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq was subsequently killed by Qassim's supporters on 15 July, 1958.
[edit] Military ranks
Faisal held the following ranks[1]:
- Field Marshal, Royal Iraqi Army
- Marshal of the Royal Iraqi Air Force
- Air Marshal (honorary), Royal Air Force
[edit] Also see
- Prince Ra'ad, head of the royal house of Iraq
- Sharif Ali bin al-Hussein - The cousin of Faisal II that currently lives in Iraq and has a political platform to establish a constitutional monarchy in Iraq.
- Nuri as-Said - The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Iraq that was also executed by supporters of Colonel Abdul Karim Qassim.
| Hashemite Born: May 2, 1935 Died: July 14, 1958 |
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|---|---|---|
| Preceded by King Ghazi |
King of Iraq 1939–1958 |
Succeeded by Prince Zeid as Pretender or Sharif Ali bin al-Hussein as Pretender |
Categories: Kings of Iraq | House of Hashim | Assassinated monarchs | Executed royalty | Field Marshals | Marshals of the air force | Royal Air Force air marshals | Old Harrovians | Ouster by coup | Muslim politicians | Iraqi people | Deaths by firearm | Recipients of the Royal Victorian Chain | Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order | 1935 births | 1958 deaths
