THE IMPACT OF INTERNAL POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS ON THE IRAQI MILITARY INSTITUTION 1976-1979

Abstract

The aim of the research is to shedding light on the Iraqi Military Institution between 1976-1979, because it was an important period that this institution went through, and was greatly affected by the internal political events and developments that the Iraqi political arena witnessed. The research concluded that the Iraqi military establishment witnessed during this period a struggle between its main members to control it and take over the political affairs in Iraq. It has been exposed to a process of ideological organization organized by the Baath authority to conform to its vision and achieve its goals, and to ensure the loyalty of its leaders to the authority, by appointing Baathist officers in important positions within the military Institution and granting them broad powers that exceed the powers of the two leaders. It granted members of the Arab Socialist Baath Party the authority to manage military units, not military commanders and commanders who did not belong to the party, all important decisions within this institution were taken by the Baathists, to achieve the party’s goals. The Iraqi military Institution became a tool to establish the rule of the Baath authority and to suppress its opponents, so it participated in practically suppressing the uprisings that took place against it.