The ascension of Abdul Rahman Arif to the Iraqi presidency on 16 April 1966 followed the sudden death of his brother, Abdul Salam Arif, in an aviation accident. Serving until 17 July 1968, he operated within a volatile political environment marked by military interference, regional conflicts, and repeated attempts by subordinates to seize control of the state apparatus.
Military Career and Rise to Power
A career soldier within the Iraqi Army, Arif participated in the 1958 military coup that ended the monarchy. He later supported the 1963 coup that established his brother as president, subsequently receiving an appointment as Chief of the Iraqi General Staff. Upon his brother's death, the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council selected him to lead the nation, opting for a candidate perceived by the military establishment as manageable.
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Take the IQ test →Domestic Challenges and Foreign Policy
Arif maintained a pan-Arabist stance, frequently aligning with the policies of Egypt's leadership. His domestic tenure faced immediate instability, including the First Iraqi–Kurdish War. Following a significant military failure against Kurdish forces at the Battle of Mount Handren in May 1966, he briefly moved toward administrative reforms before military opposition forced the dismissal of Prime Minister Abdul Rahman al-Bazzaz. Despite internal pressures, he attempted a diplomatic outreach to the United States, culminating in a meeting between Iraqi officials and President Lyndon B. Johnson in January 1967.
The 1968 Coup and Exile
The geopolitical landscape shifted drastically during the 1967 Six-Day War. Iraq severed diplomatic ties with the United States in June 1967, and the political fallout contributed to the erosion of Arif's authority. On 17 July 1968, members of the Ba'ath Party and military associates, including Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, ousted him in a bloodless coup. Arif was exiled to Turkey, eventually returning to Iraq in 1979 during the rise of Saddam Hussein. He later relocated to Amman, Jordan, in 2004, where he resided until his death in 2007.
Fast facts
- Born: 1916, Baghdad
- Died: 24 August 2007, Amman
- President of Iraq: 1966-1968
- Prime Minister of Iraq: 1967-1968
- Chief of the Iraqi General Staff: 1963-1966
- Military Rank: General
- Religion: Sunni Islam
- Spouse: Faika Abdul-Mageed Faris Alanee
Questions readers ask
How did Abdul Rahman Arif become president?
He was appointed by the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council following the death of his brother, Abdul Salam Arif, in a 1966 airplane crash.
What brought an end to his presidency?
He was removed from power during a bloodless coup led by the Ba'ath Party and military officials on 17 July 1968.
Achievements
- President of Iraq (1966–1968)
- Prime Minister of Iraq (1967–1968)
- Chief of the Iraqi General Staff (1963–1966)
