1944 Iraqi Rebellion (Hitler's World)

Overview
With Turkey and Germany realising oil was also of importance to the Allies, a small detachment of German secret agents, Persian volunteers and Turkish troops covertly in to Iraq to sturr up an Arab and Kurdish hatred of the colonial authorities. The Kurds mostly disliked the Turks as much as the British, but the Arabs were ready to move. Erwin Rommel’s wise use of armoured made some initial gains against the ex-colonial forces around Mosul, Kirkuk and Arbil, but the locals were not impressed and stayed neutral. The 12 day invasion finally imploded due to the Kurds not being interested and both The Trucial States and Saudi Arabia liberating Al Basra after some heavy street to street fighting with Persian volunteer forces on the 20th.

Causes of the conflict
The cutting off of the Allied oil supply was seen as a tactical necessity at the time. There was also the long term need to consolidate the gains they had made in northern Egypt, Palestine and Vichy held Syria.

Tactics
Both Turkey and Germany had realised oil was also of importance to the Allies. A successful Arab and/or Kurdish insurgency could gain them some permanent access to Gulf oil, while blowing up pipelines an alike could reduce output to the Allies for some time.

Result
A clear Trucial States victory, but oil supplies to the Allies were disrupted for several weeks.

Political outcome
Turkey and Persia were emboldened and stayed on the German’s side.

Also see

 * Hitlers World