History of Iraq in Timeline

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a West Asian country covering 438,317 square kilometers with a population exceeding 46 million. It shares borders with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Kuwait, Jordan, and Syria. Baghdad, the capital and largest city, is home to over 8 million people.

1936: Establishment of Iraq Radio

In 1936, Iraq Radio was established with an ensemble made up almost entirely of Jewish musicians.

1947: Christian population at 550,000

In 1947, Christians in Iraq numbered 550,000, representing 12% of the population of 4.6 millions.

1948: Founding of the Iraq Football Association

In 1948, the Iraq Football Association was founded as the governing body of football in Iraq.

1948: Jewish population estimated at 200,000

In 1948, the Jewish population in Iraq was estimated at 200,000, with some sources suggesting it may have been even higher.

1950: Iraq Football Association joins FIFA

In 1950, the Iraq Football Association became a member of FIFA.

1959: Law no. 188 of the year 1959 (Personal Status Law)

Law no. 188 of the year 1959 (Personal Status Law) made polygamy extremely difficult, granted child custody to the mother in case of divorce, prohibited repudiation and marriage under the age of 16.

1967: Census results considered problematic

Figures from the 1967 census are considered highly problematic due to suspicions of regime manipulation, as Iraqi citizens were only allowed to indicate belonging to either the Arab or Kurdish ethnic groups, skewing the number of other ethnic minorities.

1971: Iraq Football Association joins AFC

In 1971, the Iraq Football Association became a member of the Asian Football Confederation.

1972: Oil nationalised in Iraq

In 1972, Iraq nationalized its oil industry, and the revenue was subsequently used for government development projects.

1977: Census results considered problematic

Figures from the 1977 census are considered highly problematic due to suspicions of regime manipulation, as Iraqi citizens were only allowed to indicate belonging to either the Arab or Kurdish ethnic groups, skewing the number of other ethnic minorities.

1979: Saddam Hussein rose to power

In 1979, Saddam Hussein rose to power.

1986: Iraq participates in FIFA World Cup

In 1986, Iraq participated in the FIFA World Cup.

1987: Iraqi government estimate of population ethnicity

According to the CIA World Factbook, citing a 1987 Iraqi government estimate, the population of Iraq is 75–80% Arab followed by 15–20% Kurds. In addition, the estimate claims that other minorities form 5% of the country's population, including the Turkmen/Turcoman, Assyrians, Yezidis, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouins, Roma, Circassians, Mandaeans, and Persians.

1987: Christian population numbered over 1.4 million

In 1987, Christians in Iraq numbered over 1.4 million, representing 8% of the estimated population of 16.3 million.

1990: Iraq had an advanced and successful education system

Before 1990, Iraq already had an advanced and successful education system.

1990: Invasion of Kuwait by Iraq

In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, leading to the creation of the UN Compensation Commission to ensure restitution for Kuwait.

1990: Sanctions imposed after invasion of Kuwait

In 1990, sanctions were imposed against Iraq after its invasion of Kuwait, severely crippling the country's oil sector.

1990: Access to free primary health care

Prior to 1990, 97% of urban dwellers and 71% of the rural population in Iraq had access to free primary health care.

1991: Construction of palaces and monuments after the Gulf War

A majority of Saddam Hussein's palaces and monuments were built after the 1991 Gulf War, during the period when Iraq was under sanctions by the United Nations.

1995: Sharia punishment introduced

In 1995 Iraq introduced Sharia punishment for certain types of criminal offences.

1996: Peak life expectancy of 71.31 years

In 1996, Iraq had a peak life expectancy of 71.31 years.

1996: Sanctions prohibited Iraq from exporting oil

Until 1996, the sanctions imposed against Iraq prohibited it from exporting oil, resulting in a significant decline in oil output.

1997: Census results considered problematic

Figures from the 1997 census are considered highly problematic due to suspicions of regime manipulation, as Iraqi citizens were only allowed to indicate belonging to either the Arab or Kurdish ethnic groups, skewing the number of other ethnic minorities.

2000: Enrollment numbers nearly doubled

From 2000 to 2012, enrollment numbers nearly doubled, reaching six million students in Iraq.

July 2003: UNICEF/WHO report on Iraq's healthcare system

According to a "Watching Brief" report issued jointly by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization in July 2003, Iraq depended on large-scale imports of medicines, medical equipment and even nurses, paid for with oil export income.

2003: Increased fear among the Jewish community

After 2003, fear among the Jewish community increased, leading to their further decline.

2003: Increased violence against Christians after invasion

After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, violence against Christians rose, with reports of abduction, torture, bombings, and killings.

2003: Growth in broadcast media

After the end of full state control in 2003, there was significant growth in broadcast media in Iraq. There were many radio and television stations and Iraqi newspapers owned and operated by Iraqis.

2003: Coalition Provisional Authority begins privatising Iraqi economy

After the invasion in 2003, the Coalition Provisional Authority began issuing binding orders to privatize the Iraqi economy and open it up to foreign investment.

2003: Approximately two million Iraqis fled the country

After the multinational invasion of Iraq in 2003, the UN High Commission for Refugees estimated that nearly two million Iraqis fled the country.

2003: Iraq had an advanced and successful education system

Before 2003, Iraq already had an advanced and successful education system.

2003: Looting of the National Theatre of Iraq

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the National Theatre of Iraq was looted, but restoration efforts are underway.

2003: US invasion impacts Iraqi media

In 2003, media expert Ibrahim Al Marashi identified four stages of the US invasion of Iraq, which had significant effects on the development of Iraqi media.

2003: Sanctions lifted after US-led invasion

In 2003, sanctions against Iraq were lifted after the US-led invasion that removed Saddam Hussein from power.

2003: Assyrian Quarter in Baghdad housed 150,000 Armenians

In 2003, the historic Assyrian Quarter in Baghdad housed 150,000 Armenians. Most of them fled following the escalation of war, and today only 1,500 Armenians are found in the city.

2003: Ethno-religious minority populations may have been 2 million

Prior to 2003, the numbers of Mandaeans, Shabaks, Yarsan and Yezidis together may have been 2 million.

2003: Arabic was the sole official language

Prior to the invasion in 2003, Arabic was the sole official language of Iraq.

2003: Economic boom in Najaf and Karbala due to religious tourism

Since 2003, Najaf and Karbala have experienced economic boom, due to religious tourism.

2003: Flow is restored

Since 2003, flow is restored to the Mesopotamian Marshes and the ecosystem has begun to recover.

2003: Armed forces rebuilt with American foundations

Since 2003, the current Iraqi armed forces was rebuilt on American foundations and with huge amounts of American military aid at all levels.

November 2004: Paris Club agrees to write off 80% of Iraq's debt

In November 2004, specifically on the 20th, the Paris Club of creditor countries agreed to write off 80% ($33 billion) of Iraq's $42 billion debt to Club members, providing significant debt relief.

2004: CPA chief executive L. Paul Bremer threatened to veto any constitutional draft

In 2004, the CPA chief executive L. Paul Bremer said he would veto any constitutional draft stating that sharia is the principal basis of law.

September 2005: Joint Staff College established

On 27 September 2005, the Joint Staff College was established at Ar Rustamiyah to train army, navy, and air force officers.

October 2005: New Constitution of Iraq approved in a referendum

In October 2005, the new Constitution of Iraq was approved in a referendum with a 78% overall majority.

December 2005: Nationwide parliamentary elections conducted

Under the terms of the constitution, Iraq conducted fresh nationwide parliamentary elections on 15 December 2005.

2005: US allows a role for sharia in the constitution

By 2005, the US had relented, allowing a role for sharia in the constitution to help end a stalemate on the draft constitution.

2005: Iraq elects its first Kurdish president

In 2005, Iraq elected Jalal Talabani as its first Kurdish president, signifying progress in relations between Iraq and its Kurdish population.

2005: Iran–Iraq relations have flourished

Iran–Iraq relations have flourished since 2005 by the exchange of high-level visits.

2005: Turkmen/Turkoman switch to Turkish alphabet

Since 2005, the Turkmen/Turkoman have switched from the Arabic script to the Turkish alphabet for their language.

2005: New Constitution recognizes Arabic and Kurdish as official languages

Since the new Constitution of Iraq was approved in 2005, both Arabic and Kurdish are recognised as official languages of Iraq, while three other languages, Turkmen, Syriac and Armenian, are also recognised as minority languages.

May 2007: US Study Reports Possible Oil Corruption

According to a US Study from May 2007, between 100,000 barrels per day and 300,000 barrels per day of Iraq's declared oil production over the past four years could have been siphoned off through corruption or smuggling.

October 2007: 46,000 refugees return to their homes

The Iraqi government claimed that 46,000 refugees returned to their homes in October 2007 as security improved.

2007: Iraq wins AFC Asian Cup

In 2007, Iraq won the AFC Asian Cup.

2007: Iraq oil law failed to gain approval

In 2007, the Iraq oil law, a proposed piece of legislation submitted to the Council of Representatives of Iraq, failed to gain approval due to disagreements among Iraq's various political blocs.

November 2008: US and Iraq agree to Status of Forces Agreement

In November 2008, the United States and Iraq finalized the Status of Forces Agreement as part of the broader Strategic Framework Agreement, establishing the legal framework for the presence of US troops in Iraq.

2008: Al Jazeera reports unaccounted for Iraqi oil revenues

In 2008, Al Jazeera reported $13 billion of Iraqi oil revenues in American care was improperly accounted for, of which $2.6 billion is totally unaccounted for.

2008: Physicians and nurses per 10,000 inhabitants

In 2008, there were 6.96 physicians and 13.92 nurses per 10,000 inhabitants in Iraq.

February 2009: Iraq became the 186th State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention

On 12 February 2009, Iraq officially became the 186th State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

October 2009: Jim Cramer endorses Iraqi dinar on CNBC

On October 20, 2009, Jim Cramer endorsed the Iraqi dinar on CNBC, further increasing interest in investment in the currency.

December 2009: Iraq accused Iran of seizing an oil well on the border

A conflict occurred in December 2009, when Iraq accused Iran of seizing an oil well on the border.

December 2009: Ministry of Oil awards service contracts to international oil companies

On December 30, 2009, the Ministry of Oil awarded service contracts to international oil companies for some of Iraq's many oil fields.

2009: Iraq participates in FIFA Confederations Cup

In 2009, Iraq participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup.

2009: Iraq Britain Business Council formed

In 2009, the Iraq Britain Business Council was formed, with House of Lords member Lady Nicholson as a key figure.

2010: Electricity shortages despite increased oil revenue

As of 2010, despite improved security and billions of dollars in oil revenue, Iraq still generated about half the electricity that customers demanded, leading to protests during the hot summer months.

2010: Population rise

By 2010, the human population had risen tenfold between 1890 and 2010 and continues to rise.

2010: Healthcare spending accounted for 6.84% of GDP

In 2010, spending on healthcare accounted for 6.84% of Iraq's GDP.

2010: Life expectancy at birth was 68.49 years

In 2010, the life expectancy at birth in Iraq was 68.49 years, or 65.13 years for males and 72.01 years for females.

February 2011: Iraqi navy personnel

As of February 2011, the navy had approximately 5,000 sailors, including 800 marines.

May 2011: 58,811 Iraqis granted refugee-status citizenship

As of May 25, 2011, according to official US Citizenship and Immigration Services statistics, 58,811 Iraqis had been granted refugee-status citizenship.

October 2011: Turkish parliament renewed a law

In October 2011, the Turkish parliament renewed a law that gives Turkish forces the ability to pursue rebels over the border in Iraq.

2011: Pew Research estimate of Muslim self-identification

In 2011, Pew Research estimated that 51% of Muslims in Iraq see themselves as Shia, 42% as Sunni, while 5% as "just a Muslim".

2011: Public sector employment accounts for nearly 60% of full-time employment in Iraq

In 2011, public sector employment accounted for nearly 60% of full-time employment in Iraq, highlighting the government's significant role in the economy.

2011: Flow is restored

Since 2003-2011, flow is restored to the Mesopotamian Marshes and the ecosystem has begun to recover.

December 2012: Oil production levels reach 3.4 million barrels per day

By December 2012, Iraq's oil production levels had reached 3.4 million barrels per day, demonstrating a significant increase in oil output.

2012: Iraq has about 104 airports

As of 2012, Iraq has approximately 104 airports, with major airports located in Baghdad, Basra, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, and Najaf.

2012: Enrollment numbers nearly doubled

From 2000 to 2012, enrollment numbers nearly doubled, reaching six million students in Iraq.

2012: Syrian refugees flee to Iraq

To escape the Syrian civil war, over 252,000 Syrian refugees of varying ethnicities have fled to Iraq since 2012.

2013: Iraq facing housing crisis

At the end of 2013 Iraq had a housing crisis, with the war-ravaged country set to complete only 5 percent of the 2.5 million homes it needed to build by 2016.

2013: Anbar campaign and ISIS offensive in Mosul

In 2013, Ba'athist and other Sunni militants, including Al Qaida and ISIS, launched attacks against the government during the Anbar campaign, followed by a large-scale ISIS offensive in Mosul.

2013: Iraq's population reaches 35 million

In 2013, Iraq's population reached 35 million amid a post-war population boom. It is the most populous country in the Arabian Plate.

2013: Closure of Mosul Airport

In 2013, Mosul Airport was closed due to the civil war. The airport remained closed until 2017.

March 2014: Iraq's oil output jumps by half a million barrels a day

On March 14, 2014, the International Energy Agency reported that Iraq's oil output jumped by half a million barrels a day in February, averaging 3.6 million barrels a day, the highest since 1979.

June 2014: Ali al-Sistani issues Fatwa

In June 2014, Iraq's leading Shii Grand Ayatollah, Ali al-Sistani issued a Fatwa calling on able-bodied men to join the Armed Forces to fight against ISIS.

July 2014: Kurdistan Regional Government forces seize control of oilfields

On July 14, 2014, Kurdistan Regional Government forces seized control of the Bai Hassan and Kirkuk oilfields in the north of the country, taking them from Iraq's control.

2014: Agreement allowing Washington to help Iraq against Islamic State groups

In 2014, an agreement was established allowing Washington to assist Iraq against Islamic State groups by deploying troops.

2014: Loss of education funding

Repetition rates have reached almost 17% in 2014, causing a loss of approximately 20% of education funding in 2014–2015.

2015: Children attending school

By 2015, around 9.2 million children were attending school, with a steady annual increase of 4.1% in enrollment rates.

2015: Ethnic Groups in Iraq

In 2015, a report by the European Parliamentary Research Service estimated the ethnic and religious composition of Iraq to include 24 million Arabs (14 million Shia and 9 million Sunni), 4.7 million Sunni Kurds (plus 500,000 Faili Kurds and 200,000 Kaka'i), 3 million Iraqi Turkmens (mostly Sunni), 1 million Black Iraqis, 500,000 Christians (including Assyrians and Armenians), 500,000 Yazidis, 250,000 Shabaks, 50,000 Roma, 3,000 Mandaeans, 2,000 Circassians, and smaller numbers of other groups.

2015: CIA World Factbook estimate of religious affiliation

In 2015, the CIA World Factbook reported that between 90 and 95% of Iraqis followed Islam, with 61–64% being Shia and 29–34% being Sunni.

2015: Loss of education funding

Repetition rates have reached almost 17% in 2015, causing a loss of approximately 20% of education funding in 2014–2015.

2016: Iraq housing crisis

By 2016 the war-ravaged country was set to complete only 5 percent of the 2.5 million homes it needed to build by 2016 to keep up with demand, confirming the Minister for Construction and Housing.

2016: Children attending school

By 2016, around 9.2 million children were attending school, with a steady annual increase of 4.1% in enrollment rates.

2016: Government budget deficit

In 2016, in combination with decreased oil prices, the government budget deficit is near 25% of GDP.

December 2017: Government declares victory over ISIS

In December 2017, after ISIS lost all its territory in Iraq, the government declared victory over the group.

2017: Closure of Mosul Airport

Mosul Airport was closed between 2013 and 2017 due to civil war.

2018: Oil accounts for 99% of Iraq's revenue

In 2018, the UN estimated that oil accounts for 99% of Iraq's revenue.

2018: Planned increase in air force personnel and aircraft

It was planned to increase the Iraqi air force to 18,000 personnel, with 550 aircraft by 2018, but that did not happen as planned.

October 2019: Nationwide protests erupt in Iraq

In October 2019, nationwide protests erupted in Iraq, demanding systemic reform, an end to the party-based quota system, disarmament of non-state militias, and an end to foreign interference.

November 2019: Australian Defence Force personnel left Darwin for Task Group Taji

On 4 November 2019, more than 100 Australian Defence Force personnel left Darwin for the 10th rotation of Task Group Taji, based north of Baghdad.

January 2020: Iraqi parliament votes for resolution to expel US troops

On January 5, 2020, the Iraqi parliament passed a resolution urging the government to expel US troops from Iraq, two days after the US drone strike that killed Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani. The resolution aimed to end the 2014 agreement allowing US assistance against ISIS.

September 2020: US prepares to withdraw diplomats from Iraq

In September 2020, specifically on the 28th, Washington prepared to withdraw diplomats from Iraq due to Iranian-backed militias firing rockets at the American Embassy in Baghdad, marking an escalation in US-Iran tensions.

December 2020: Second phase of Grand Faw Port launched

In December 2020, Al-Sudani launched the second phase of the Grand Faw Port via winning bid of project head contractor Daewoo at $2.7 billion.

2020: Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi resigns and COVID-19 Pandemic Erupts

In 2020, Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi resigned due to popular demand. He was succeeded by Mustafa al-Kadhimi, during whose tenure the COVID-19 Pandemic erupted, causing a macroeconomic shock.

2020: Islam followed by 97% of Iraqis

In 2020, the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA) estimated that 97% of Iraqis followed Islam, with 61% being Shia and 35% Sunni.

2020: Prolonged Drought

Since 2020, the country has been in a prolonged drought.

2021: Oil sector provides about 92% of foreign exchange earnings

As of 2021, the oil sector provided about 92% of Iraq's foreign exchange earnings.

2021: Iraq experiences its second-driest season

In 2021, Iraq experienced its second-driest season in the past four decades, and the country has been in a prolonged drought since 2020.

2021: Repatriation of looted artefacts

In 2021, Iraq reclaimed about 17,000 looted artifacts, considered the biggest repatriation to date.

2021: Agreement to build 1,000 schools

In 2021, the Iraqi and Chinese governments reached an agreement to construct 1,000 schools in Iraq.

2021: 1.1 million Iraqis displaced within the country

In 2021, the UN Refugee agency estimated that 1.1 million Iraqis were displaced within the country.

2021: Second-driest season

In 2021, the country experienced its second-driest season in the past four decades.

2021: Total Iraqi population estimated at 43,533,592

In 2021, the total population of Iraq was estimated to be 43,533,592, making it the most populous country in the Arabian Plate.

October 2022: Abdul Latif Rashid elected President, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani becomes Prime Minister

In October 2022, the Council of Representatives elected Abdul Latif Rashid as president, and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani became Prime Minister.

2022: Iraq pays total war reparations to Kuwait

In 2022, after more than 30 years, the UN Compensation Commission announced that Iraq had paid a total of $52.4 billion in war reparations to Kuwait following the 1990 invasion.

August 2023: al-Sudani established the Iraq Development Fund

In August 2023, al-Sudani established the Iraq Development Fund whose purpose is to strengthen the private sector and finance projects of crucial social and environmental value.

2023: Iraq was the third most electoral democratic country in the Middle East

According to the 2023 V-Dem Democracy indices Iraq was the third most electoral democratic country in the Middle East.

2023: Government working on a wider "Iraqi vision for climate action"

In 2023, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced that government was working on a wider "Iraqi vision for climate action".

2023: Government plans to build new cities to tackle housing problem

In late 2023, the government announced plans to build 15 new cities across Iraq in an attempt to tackle the persistent housing problem, with the first five cities located in Baghdad, Babylon, Nineveh, Anbar and Karbala.

2024: Inauguration of Shaab General Hospital

In 2024, Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani officially inaugurated Shaab General Hospital, Baghdad's first new general hospital in nearly 40 years. Minister of Health Salih Hasnawi highlighted the ministry's accomplishments over the past two years, including the construction of 13 new hospitals, three specialised centres, two burn units, and 25 kidney treatment centres in different governorates.

2024: Quadrilateral memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation in Iraq Development Road project signed

In 2024, during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Baghdad, Iraq, Türkiye, Qatar, and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation on the Iraq Development Road project, a 1,200-km railway and motorway project connecting the Grand Faw Port to the Turkish border. The deal was signed by the transportation ministers from each country.

2024: Government inaugurates 790 new schools

In 2024, the Iraqi government inaugurated 790 new schools across the country as part of a framework agreement with China, aiming to address overcrowding and triple shifts in schools.

February 2025: Iraq Development Fund Gains $7bn in Foreign Direct Investments

In February 2025, the Iraq Development Fund had gained $7bn in foreign direct investments, and signed Memoranda of Understanding with a number of countries including United Kingdom and Japan.

May 2025: Unemployment Rate Drops

In May 2025, Iraqi Ministry of Planning announced that the unemployment rate in Iraq had dropped from 17% in 2022 to 13% in 2025.

2025: Iraq Stable in Security and Economy

In 2025, parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani stressed that Iraq is stable in terms of security and economy and has taken a non-aligned approach.

2025: Completion target for Iraq Development Road project

In 2025, the 1,200-km Iraq Development Road project is planned to be completed to the Turkish border. The project is a railway and motorway intended to connect the Grand Faw Port, aimed to be the largest port in the Middle East, to Turkey at an expected cost of $17 billion.