Mohammed Al-Sadr
Mohammad Hasan Al-Sadr | |
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King of Iraq | |
Reign | 18 April 1935 – 3 April 1956 |
Predecessor | Position established |
Successor | Abdullah Al-Sadr |
Prime Minister |
Tawfiq al-Suwaidi Naji Shawkat Hikmat Sulayman Ali Jawday Al-Ayyubi |
Died |
April 3, 1956 Royal Palace, Baghdad, Iraq | (aged 74)
Arabic | محمد حسن الصدر |
House | Al Sadr |
Religion | Shia Islam |
Mohammed Hassan Al-Sadr (Arabic: محمد حسن الصدر, January 7, 1882 – April 3, 1956) was the King of Iraq from the country's independence in 1935 until his death in 1956. He was a member of the prominent Al-Sadr family, which became the royal family of Iraq. Mohammed Al-Sadr emerged as one of the main leaders of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during Great War I, along with King Hussein of Arabia. He was also General Field Marshal of the Iraqi Royal Army and Royal Air Force, as well as Grand Admiral of the Iraqi Royal Navy.
He is credited with creating the modern Iraqi nation state out of several disparate tribes after the retreat of Ottoman forces, and starting the development of Iraq's oil industry with Western assistance that provided the basis for its economy. A treaty with Germany in 1944 secured technical and financial assistance for the country, leading to the creation of a modern military and the Iraqi Petroleum Company. In 1940 he led a brief victorious war against Hashemite Arabia that resulted in the Iraqi annexation of Kuwait. By the time of his death Iraq was one of the wealthiest countries in the region and had become an ally of Hashemite Arabia, Hasa, and the Trucial States, forming what would eventually become the anti-Ba'athist and anti-communist bloc in the Middle East during the Arab Cold War.
Early life
Arab Revolt and Iraqi independence
Reign as King of Iraq
Death and legacy
Personal life
Titles and styles
- 1882–1935: His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad Hassan Al-Sadr
- 1935–1956: His Majesty King Mohammed Hassan Al-Sadr, King of Iraq