'Report on the operations carried out in the southern desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, June 1928-May 1929.' [‎10] (12/32)

10
via Qarat al Murra and Aziyah. Nothing of importance waj4
seen on any of these reconnaissances.
32. Reports were also received at this time relating to a
concentration of Ataibah and Mutair, under Ibn Humaid and
Faisal ad Dawish respectively, at Jarrab, 40 miles north-west
of Artawiyah. Information received on 17th February placed
this force at Taiyib Ism, indicating that it was advancing
towards the 'Iraq frontier. From approximately this place
they were in an equally good position to strike out in the
direction of the Batin, the centre of the neutral zone, or the
Anaizah, in the Wadian area. That they might adopt the
middle course and attack the 'Iraq tribes north of the neutral
zone was given some preference by statements to the effect
that tribes which were grazing just south of that area had
been moved aside to clear a passage for the raiders.
33. A third concentration originally reported in the Hazul
was later stated to be taking place 30 miles south of Linah,
and to consist of Ruwallah, under the leadership of Farhan ibn
Mashhur. This party was said to be only a small one, formed
with the object of raiding the Dahamshah or other Anaizah
sections in the Wadian area.
34. The foregoing was briefly the position of the Najd forces
as visualised from available information, which emphatically
stressed a threat against 'Iraq. In consequence, daily recon
naissances by aircraft and armoured cars were carried out.
Steps were taken to withdraw the 'Iraq tribes from forward
and unprotectable positions to points where, in an emergency,
they could be rallied with greater advantage for self-defence in
co-operation with British and 'Iraq forces.
35. Two flights of No. 55 (Bomber) Squadron were sent to
Busaiyah on 16th February. On the same day one flight of
No. 30 (Bomber) Squadron was sent to Nukhaib. An Armoured
Car Section carried out a reconnaissance to Aziyah, and on the
17th moved on to Adhaibah, where it remained for several
days with another section. Reconnaissances were carried out
from there down Al Batin, and also to Abu Khuwaimah,
where Captain Glubb was engaged in marshalling the 'Iraq
tribes from the vicinity of the neutral area, prior to their
concentration in northern Kuwait.
36. By the 20th the situation had quietened sufficiently for
the two flights of No. 55 (Bomber) Squadron to be withdrawn
from Busaiyah. It was still considered advisable, however,
to keep a flight there for the time being, so a flight of No. 84
(Bomber) Squadron was detached from Shaibah for that duty.
On the 22nd one of the Armoured Car Sections at Adhaibah
was withdrawn to Basrah.