1958
- Iraqi monarchy overthrown in military coup led by Abd al-Karim Qasim.
- Saddam Hussein, 22, flees Iraq after involvement in attempted assassination of Qasim.
- Ba’ath Party overthrows Qasim, then is edged out of power by allies in coup. Iraq renounces claim to Kuwait.
- Iraq breaks diplomatic relations with the US after Arab-Israeli war.
- Ba’ath Party returns to power in coup. Saddam Hussein seizes positions of vice president and deputy head of the Revolutionary Command Council.
- Baghdad and Kurdish Democratic Party sign peace agreement.
- Saddam Hussein becomes president and chairman of the Revolutionary Command Council. About 400 party members are executed.
- Iran shells Iraqi border towns. On September 17, Iraq abrogates 1975 treaty, and invades Iran
- Iraq restores diplomatic relations with the US.
- UN Secretary General reports Iraq’s use of mustard gas and nerve agents against Iranian soldiers.
- Saddam’s Anfal campaign results in over 100,000 deaths in northern Iraq. On March 16, Iraq attacks Kurdish town of Halabja with mix of poison gas and nerve agents, killing 5,000.