"تقارير إدارية ١٩٢٠-١٩٢٤" [ظ‎‎٨‎٦] (٤١٢/١٧٧)

66
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE
party of Ikhwan horsemen, about fifty strong, raided a small camp of local
Arabs near Shu'aibah, and subsequently other small camps scattered between
there and Jahrah. None of these was strong enough to make any resistance,
and the tribesmen took refuge in Kuwait and Jahrah. In the evening a party
of about a hundred turned out from Jahrah and drove off the raiders, who
however got away with the spoil w T hich they had taken.
In the meanwhile Shaikh Sir Khaz'al Khan, G.C.I E., of Muhammerah
offered to send his son Shaikh Chasib to Najd, accompanied by Shaikh Ahmad
al-Jabir, to try and improve the relations between Ibn Sa'ud and the Shaikh
of Kuwait. Sis offer was accepted, and the Mission left Kuwait for Bahrain
en route for Najd on the 8th February. Ibn Sa'ad received the Mission at
Hafar al-'Akk on the 2nd March. Two days later news of Shaikh Salim's
death arrived there, and Ibn Sa'ud at once said that the two houses of Sa'ad
and Subah were once again united in perfect friendship, as he had never had
any quarrel with anyone in Kuwait except Shaikh Salim, who had forced it
on him. He at once sent notifications throughout his dominions proclaiming
peace with Kuwait.
Since then relations between Ibn Sa'ud and Shaikh Ahmad have remained
most friendly, and Kuwait has greatly benefitted by the resumption of trade
with Najd.
On the 26th July a party of six 'Ajman Ikhwan raided some Shammar
Tauqah families at Eumailah, near Zubair, killing two men and carrying off a
number of sheep and donkeys, etc. On being informed, the Shaikh of Kuwait
at once issued orders for the raiders to be intercepted at Jahrah if possible, with
the result that 286 sheep, 27 donkeys, one mare and two rifles were recovered
and two of the raiders were captured.
On the 7th August a party of Dhafir raided near Jahrah, and carried off
64 camels belonging to Kuwait Bedouin and about double that number belong
ing to Ibn Sa'ud's subjects. A counter raid on the Dhafir was then carried
out by the Ikhwan at Khanaqah, and a considerable number of camels were
seized.
On the 3rd September a party of Dhafir, and Shammar who had taken
refuge in 'Iraq territory, raided Shu'aib, eight hours west o? Jahrah, and
captured four herds of camels.
On the 16th September there was another raid at Umm Kuwaisat in the
Shiqaq district, about 35 miles north-west by north of Jahrah, in which seven
herds of Kuwait camels were captured.
On the 20th October a large party of Dhafir, under : Abdur Eazzaq son of
Ibn Hallaf shaikh of the Sa'id section of the tribe, raided Zaqlah, six miles
north-west of Jahrah, and captured eight herds of camels. Fifteen of the
Shaikh of Kuwait's followers pursued the raiders from Jahrah, and came up
with them in the tract of country known as Yah, about 18 miles north of
Jahrah. They, however, found themselves very much outnumbered and lost
one man and seven horses killed without recovering anything.
In addition to the above, there were a few other minor raids from 'Iraq
territory against the Shaikh of Kuwait's subjects, and others against Ibn
Sa'ud's, but since October these have ceased.
At first some bitterness was felt by the Shaikh of Kuwait at the frequency
of these raids from 'Iraq territory, but he now appears to be quite satisfied
with the action which has been taken, a portion of the looted property having
been recovered, the stipend of Shaikh Hamud as-Suwait of the Dhafir having
been suspended, and Ibn Hallaf, who was one of the chief offenders, having
been detained and prevented from further activities.
The most interesting event in the Interior during the year was Ibn
Sa'ud's campaign against Hail, In a letter dated 10th April Ibn Sa ud
informed the Shaikh of Kuwait that he had sent out his brother Muhammad
and his sons Sa'ud and Eaisal, each with a force, against the Shammar. The
first two were to leave the Jabal Shammar on their left" and attack the
Shammar in the north, while Paisal was to leave the Jabal Shammar on his
right and attack its villages from that side. He said that Muhammad had