Iraq is divided into 18 provinces (muhafazah). Kurdish people attend a rally to show their support for the upcoming September 25 independence referendum in Duhuk, Iraq on September 16, 2017. Rogesh Adnan Yasin, a Syrian Kurd, holds a Kurdish flag and her 2-year-old niece at a pro-referendum rally in Irbil, Iraq. Iraq allies with the Axis powers of Germany and Italy. 1941 - The British invade Iraq to insure oil supplies. also the Iraqi Constitution has recognized only one autonomous federal region inside Iraq, the name of the region is Iraqi Kurdistan Region, this region consists of the three provinces of Dahuk ( دهوك ), Arbil ( اربيل ) and As-Sulaymaniyyah (السليمانية ) “The cabinet designated October 3 of every year as Iraq’s National Day to celebrate and mark the independence of Iraq and the end of the British mandate,” Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi’s office said. In 1932, Iraq became independent from Britain, with King Faisal as its monarch. 1939 - World War II begins. Throughout the year, Iraqis celebrate historical milestones like Army Day (January 6), Baghdad Liberation Day (April 9), Republic Day (July 14), Ceasefire Day or End of Iran-Iraq War (August 8), and Iraqi Independence Day (October 3). 1948 - Iraq attacks Israel along with the Arab League in the Arab-Israeli War. More than 90% of Iraq's Kurdish population have now voted for independence from Iraq. Loading…. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad celebrated its national day on Monday afternoon, March 25, marking the 243 rd year of American independence. We were honored to have shared this memorable day with over 300 American and Iraqi government officials, diplomats of various nations, Iraqi civil society leaders, and business executives. King Faisal died a year later in 1933 with his son, King Ghazi taking power. Iraq to celebrate independence day as national day after years of dispute. In 2003, the Americans invaded Iraq and the Peshmerga (the military forces of Iraqi Kurdistan) joined in the fight to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Iraq's expansionist aims in 1961 were thwarted first by British military assistance, then firmly denied when an Arab League force from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and the United Arab Republic pushed Iraq's army back to its borders. The first organization was formed in Erbil and the second in Suleimaniah. Ari Jalal/Reuters The Civil War continued for four years until 1998 when the PUK and KDP signed the Washington Agreement, concluding the war. Following the collapse of Ottoman rule, Britain took control of Iraq, naming it the 'State of Iraq' and installing the Hashemite King, Faisal I. Almost immediately, Kuwait's independence was threatened by the military rulers of Iraq. 1932 - Iraq gains its independence from Britain. 1945 - Iraq joins the Arab League.