'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. III. 1917' [‎13] (22/432)

INTEODU CTION
13
between the Middle Euphrates and the Tigris valleys. In general it
may be said that the difficulties of communication across the Jezireh
are due not to the ground but to lack of water and supplies. North of
ery the Baghdad—Fellujeh line which is traversed by the Baghdad—
l at ' Aleppo caravan-route the southern part of the Lower Jezireh is a very
lse ' arid desert, hardly passable except by camel-caravans, small parties of
horsemen, or motor-cars. The going seems to be firm and easy
except at occasional wadis. Very little is known of the tracks
tlie across this region used by the Arabs. For a desert route from Anah
led to Baghdad, see Route 48. It is possible that the line of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
r !' a ' Tartar would be found useful in traversing the Lower Jezireh from
. its SW. to NE. or vice versa (e. g. between Hit and Qal'ah Sherghat or
i ne Mosul). There seems to be water (brackish?) even in the lower
tlie (southern) part of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Tartar for at least most of the year.
! of Nearer the Sinjar Hills conditions improve, and a number of fairly
5^ well frequented routes over open easy country connect Mosul w T ith
Deir ez-Zor. The chief obstacle is the River Khabur, which seems,
: ris however, to be fordable here and there in the low-water season.
Water is less scarce than in the southern part of Lower Jezireh. It
rra jg always to be found in abundance in the Khabur River, and
ore a number of small streams run down from the Sinjar Hills into the
'"fe plain, but these may dry up in summer. There are also a fair
number of springs in the desert. The water in some of the streams and
springs is rather brackish or sulphurous, though usually drinkable.
I" s Good grazing may be found in this region in spring. Fuel is obtain-
^ able in the Sinjar Hills. The lines preferred by guides in crossing
lad this country vary with the season, the condition of wells, &c. The
ere route from Mosul to Deir via 'Ain el-Ghazal and Tel es-Sawwar is
J'- certainly passable for wheels, but it is reported that infantry would
80 not be able to use the route in summer owing to scarcity of water,
for (See Route 49 a.) The more northerly route (49 b) lies under the Sinjar
W® Hills, passing through Beled Sinjar and Sekenik. This appears to
sW) be passable for vehicles, though the track may become heavy after
rain and would perhaps need improvement at wadis. The direct
up routes between Sekenik and the Khabur at Shedadi or Tel Arabian
be (see Routes 49 c, d) appear to suffer from lack of water. A circuitous
ent way from Sekenik to the Khabur which crosses between the Jebel
See Sinjar and the Jebel Jereibeh by the Shillo Pass and then turns W.
along the northern side of the hills, may be better provided with
water, but the quality of the supply seems to be poor. The Shillo
fed Pass is the main passage across the hills, and, though stony, seems to
need little improvement for wheels. There are other tracks over the
tes Sinjar range, but they are said to be difficult. The Sinjar Mountains