File 4722/1918 Pt 8 'Mesopotamia: Situation' [‎49v] (107/995)

repulsed thence, waylaid a civilian motor-car whose occupants they robbed
and murdered. The murderel men were both persons of note—Sharif al
Earukhi a member of the Umari family, and a Christian contractor named
Salim ibn Baud Betun. A column sent out from Mosul failed to intercept
the raiders.
The only other event in this area which calls for notice is the collection
of Assyrian refugees in camps at Mindan and Jujar, near ‘Aqrah, with a
view to their departure for their homes round Urmia during the autumn.
This concentration of armed men had an important bearing on the peace of
the Division. A full account of the part played by the Assyrians was given
to you under cover of the Civil Commissioner’s No. 28876/119/48, dated 8th
October, 1920, but the story may be briefly repeated here. Preparations for
the move from Ba c qubah camp had of course been in train for some time,
but the actual movement did not begin before April and was interrupted on
the 24th May by disturbances on the line between Baghdad and Sharqat.
It was resumed in August and thereafter carried out under considerable
additional difficulties, owing to the disturbed state of the country both near
Ba’qubah and along the line northwards from Baghdad. At least one
train containing refugees was cut off near Samarra by the insurgent tribes
and only got back to Baghdad with great difficulty and after sustaining
some casualties. However, by the beginning of September about 3,000
aimed Assyrians had been transported to the forward area. The bulk of
this force was at Mindan, with detachments at Similan, ’Aqrah and Jujar.
Meanwhile the notoriously lawless tribe of Surchi Kurds had succeeded in
overthrowing the Government at Kawanduz Batas and Keui and had'over
run the northern part of the Arbil Division. Emboldened by the lack of
apposition they crossed the Zab and on the 14th September attacked the
camp at Jujar where the refugees’ animals were collected. Permission to
use the Assyrians against them, in the absence of troops, had first been
asked on the 3rd September, but was not accorded until the 15th, after this
act of aggression. By this time their numbers had been swollen by many
recruits from the Ashirat al Saba.’ Nevertheless the Assyrians, who though
heavily outnumbered were better armed and disciplined, made short work
of the Kurds. With a loss of only 4 killed and 8 wounded, they slew 60
Nurds and drove the rest back across the Zab where 140 more are said” to
have been drowned.
But for this entirely fortuitous support it is probable that the whole of
the Mosul Division would have been swamped in the wave of anarchy.
The refugees on the 25th October crossed the Zab en-route for their
homes and according to the latest reports are maintaining their discipline,
have dispersed the opposition of the Zibari and Barzan Kurds and are pro
ceeding according to plan.
What the outcome of the Assyrian movement may be no man can
confidently foresee. But it is clear that so long as the Turkish authorities
at Jazirat afford support to the recalcitrants of our area, the task of main
taining law and order in Mosul is likely to be arduous, and will not be
rendered easier with the return of the nomad tribes—Miran Kurds and
Shammar Arabs now in motion for their winter quarters.
Arbil Division.
A full account of events in this area has been furnished to you under
cover of Civil Commissioner’s Nos. 26929, dated 16th September, 1920 and
28214, Mated 1st October, 1920 and my Nos. 29947, dated 22nd October, 1920
and 30144, dated 28th October, 1920, and some allusion has been made to
them above.
A"*
On the 1st September the position was that the Surchi of the Aqrah
district under Shaikh Mazo and Nuri having crossed the Zab and over
throw]! the Government at Batas were on their way to RaVanduz, where
ihere was a small garrison of Levies. There were no troops in the Division.
Capt. Littledale, the local Commandant of Levies was in at Headquarters.
The Khushnao of Shaqlawah under Qadir Beg were outwardly loyal and
promising assistance, but were at the time in correspondence with the Surchi
leaders above named and with the outlaw Shaikh Ubaidullah. On receipt
of the news of events at Batas Capt. Littledale at once set off with 30 sowars
and 70 foot, relying on Qadir Beg’s promises of help. This was not forth
coming and the small force of Levies attacked Batas unsupported. The
attack naturally failed and, as the Levies withdrew, Qadir Beg’s men and a
party under Obaidullah took them in rear. They succeeded in getting back
to Arbil, with a loss of 18 men, including Mulazim Hamid Eff, who was
wounded and taken prisoner after fighting very bravely and put to death
in cold blood by the Surchi.
Ihis repulse naturally re-acted unfavourably wherever the news of it
was borne. The position of the A.P.O. at Keui at once became untenable
and on the 3rd September he was forced, to withdraw, leaving the Govern
ment in the hands of Jamil Agha and other leading men, amongst whom
- JL, --
V
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