BAGHDAD — One day after the end of the Eid al-Adha holiday (Sept. 24-27), the Iraqi government issued a decree declaring Sept. 28 as an additional day off. The decision to extend the holiday coincided with a rumor, which circulated in the media and on social networks, of an imminent coup d’etat in Baghdad.

Interestingly, the news of the decree was aired on TV stations after midnight on Sept. 27, and many Iraqis arrived at their jobs not realizing businesses were closed, which further fueled the spread of the rumor of a possible coup.

As a result, on Sept. 28, public concern was prevalent and traffic was lighter than usual in Baghdad. Although the government was quick to discredit the news the same day, fear persisted.

Iraq has a history rife with military and political coup d’etats, starting with the military coup that overthrew the monarchy on July 14, 1958. Iraq has witnessed three military coups and a number of coup attempts, such as the one in 1979 when President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr announced his resignation under pressure of Saddam Hussein and his supporters, who took over the country's rule and the Baath Party leadership.