'Report on the operations carried out in the southern desert in connection with the Iraq-Najd borders, June 1928-May 1929.' [‎11] (13/32)

11
37. Meanwhile, in the western sector there had been a
substantial raid on 19th February just inside Najd territory
by a large party under Sultan ibn Humaid. ihis force is
said to have consisted of some 2,500 men from the Ataibah,
and operated in three separate bands in the Gaisumah—
Lauqah-Jumaimah area. Apart from attacks on Najd tribes
or on those under the protection of Ibn Sa'ud, one of the
bands under Muhammad ibn Jabrin (Ataibah) raided a section
of an 'Iraq tribe, the Zaiyad, which was grazing in that area
under the leadership of Talal ibn Jandil. This section had
13 men killed and one wounded, and lost some 10,000 sheep,
600 donkeys, and 20 tents. About the same time some 'Iraq
cattle merchants were also attacked by this band, as a result
of which 80 men were killed and 700 camels looted. After
these incidents the whole of Ibn Humaid's force withdrew
from this area.
38. On 24th February the approval of H.B.M's. Government
was received for a proposal to send armoured cars as well as
police and 'Iraq Army armoured cars into Kuwait territory
to camp with the 'Iraq tribes who were grazing there. This
was modified at the request of the Shaikh of Kuwait to include
only British armoured cars and 'Iraq police cars. By the end
of February the majority of 'Iraq tribes were concentrated in
Northern Kuwait, the Administrative Inspector and one
section of armoured cars being based at Umm al Madathah.
Fifty tents of the Bani Malik, a small 'Iraq tribe whose
normal habitat is in the Basrah-Zubair district, were, however,
grazing in Southern Kuwait. Reports of Ibn Hithlain s
raiding party being near the border alarmed these people, and
they moved close up to the walls of Kuwait town.
39. On 2nd March reports were received that a party of
Mutair were in the neutral area and were expected to raid the
'Iraq tribes in the Busaiyah-Sulman area.
40. On the morning of 3rd March information was received
that at 0700 hours local time the Bani Malik had been attacked
outside Kuwait town by about four to five hundred Akhwan
under the leadership of Shakir ibn Shuqair and Hayif al
Fughm, of the Mutair. The two flights of No. 84 (Bomber)
Squadron at Shaibah were immediately sent out to attack,
and an Armoured Car Section left Basrah and proceeded down
the Kuwait road. In spite of a very strong south-easterly
wind, the aircraft located the raiders at 1140 hours local time,
5 miles north of Warah. The Akhwan immediately opened
fire on the aircraft, who replied by taking air action with good
effect. The wireless operator in one of the aircraft was shot
through the head during the attack and killed. The air attack