1963 Military coup in Iraq

55 years ago, on February 8, 1963, the Iraqi army overthrew the government of General Abdel-Kerim Qasem. The Ba'ath Party came to power under the leadership of General Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr, who became prime minister, and Colonel Abdel-Salam Aref, who became president.

The coup was accompanied by two days of fierce fighting with the troops that remained loyal to Kasem and the communists who supported him. On February 9, Kasem and two of his closest associates surrendered in exchange for a guarantee of life, but were immediately shot after a 40-minute trial.

At least 180 people were killed in the coup, also known as the Ramadan Revolution. Another 1,500 to 5,000 Qasem supporters and communists were killed during the ensuing three-day sweep of Baghdad.