ملف ١٩١٧/٧٥٦ الجزءان ٢-٣ "النشرات العربية أرقام ٦٦-١١٤" [و‎‎١‎٩‎٧] (٨٣٤/٤٠٢)

Bedus. —The sheikhs who take the most active part in
Sherif Sharaf’s operations are :—
1. Hammad Mangara of the Barakat. He operates chiefly
to the south of el-Ula, based on Jeydah. The Barakat is the
biggest sub-tribe (‘fukhud’) of the Billi, and after the Rifada
family, Hammad Mangara is the most influential sheikh. He
was on bad terms with Suleirfran ibn Rifada, and favoured the
Sherif.
2. Abdullah ibn Muhenna of the Saheima. He operates
usually from el-Ula to Dar el-Hamra. Highly thought-of bv
Sherif Sharaf as a capable leader. The Zibala sub-tribe and the
Saheima go together.
3. Hamad abu Shamaa of the Abu Shamaa (Moahib).
Operates around Dar el-Hamra. Aziz Effendi says that these
northern sub-tribes are keener on raiding and better to deal with
than those operating to the south of el-Ula, and also their Dira
is better watered. Summer watering place, ISFeshafah. Hamad
abu Shamaa has a paternal cousin, Ibrahim abn Shamaa, who
acts as his Wakil in drawing supplies, etc.
Only the Billi and Moahib receive pay from Wejh and the
number reckoned as supposed to draw such pay is 6,000
men. Sherif Sharaf says that £20,000 would be sufficient for
one month’s pay ; and that if he could only have one month’s,
it would be sufficient to enable him to go out personally and
undertake bigger operations.
The following draw supplies from Wejh :—
Small sacks rice or
flour per month.
Anazeh: Ferhan el-Aida 1,500
Riyal Heis 1,200
Awaji 600
Fejir (Fuqara) (Sheikh Sultan) 1,000
Billi ... 2,000
Moahib 600
Beni Atiyah 1,500
To make up for the lack of pay, Sharaf has been issuing the
Arabs with a two month’s supply at one issue (but to last two
months).
As for ammufiition, Mauser ‘SOI Turkish is at present most
in demand. This is because the Arabs prefer the Mauser rifle to
the British pattern and take into use any rifles captured from
Turkish Prisoners of War or deserters, ft is said that a rifle
sold in Jebel Shammar will fetch £30. The Sherifian sarraf at
Wejh says he has a book in which are recorded all rifles issued
from here to the Arabs since the commencement of the issues ;
and it is possible that he has all those issued from Yambo
written down.”