File 57/1905 ‘Arabia: - Situation in Yemen (1905-11). Arab revolt against Turks. Imam of Sanaa’s letter to the King. Fighting in Yemen 1911. Agreement between the Turks & the Imam’ [‎26v] (57/692)

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occurred, opened fire both on the town of Geezan, which the rebels had now entered,
and on the camp at Hafayir, where fighting at close quarters was going on.
The bombardment continued for four or five hours punishing both Tnrks and Arabs
alike, but especially the latter, who were in considerable numbers, and who were
ultimately forced to retire.
The losses on the Turkish side are estimated at between 1,000 and 1,600 killed, but '
nearer the latter figure, 400 wounded and many men missing. The authorities admit
that 1,000 men were killed and 400 wounded in the Arab attack.
The rebels also suffered severely, chiefly from the bombardment, and left about
1,000 dead on the field.
Colonel Raghib Bey, who was in command at the time, has since been reported to
be missing, and believed by some to have committed suicide and by others to have
escaped to Massawa.
The gun-boat “ Malata ” brought the news of the disaster on the evening of the
14th. Under orders from General Izzet Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Mahomed Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , who is blamed for
the incident owing to his dilatoriness, immediately embarked the same night on the
above-mentioned warship in company of one, Sherif Ahmed El-Muharish, a notable of
Sabyeah, and sailed early the next morning for Loheia.
On the 17th instant, the Ottoman ship “Sabah” arrived here from Geezan with
400 wounded aboard, with whom she sailed again on the 21st canalwards. It is
believed that these men will be taken to Beirout for treatment.
Yesterday the Ottoman transport “ Bahri Jadid” came here, also from Geezan,
transporting 620 sick and wounded, who have since been landed at Djabana for
treatment.
It will thus be seen that out of Mahomed Ali Pasha’s force of some 3,000 men there
have been between 1,400 and 2,000 casualties, while another 600 have become ineffective
through disease, leaving between 400 and 600 men at his disposal. These, besides
being quite demoralised, are suffering from the heat and from want of water.
. The veils outside Geezan are actually in the hands of the Arabs, but who, beinor
within the range of the guns of the Turkish gun-boats in port, can be kept at bay. °
It is now expected that the expedition from Geezan must necessarily be abandoned
un ess big reinforcements can be spared from Sana’a. The severe and trying climate
o the Aboo Ansh country and the scarcity of water, with rumours of the prevalence of
cholera in that locality, are factors militating against the success of an expedition at
the present time. r
At the same time, the authorities fear a similar attack on Loheia and the cutting
oil of the water supply of that town, that is served by wells 7 or 8 miles distant. All
available troops will be required for the defence of Loheia, where there are only two
^ a J? 118 a P re jsen Two battalions have already left Sana’a for Loheia and Zaidyia
respectively and Izzet Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. has informed the local authorities that two other battalions
are now on their way to Yemen from the Hedjaz.
arrivprf 11 wt ^^t, part of the first battalion of the 115th regiment that recently
to inwl * r/ t0 , part in the expedition from Geeln, and since found
transnorted in rU 0 '' t 1 ^0 gunners and a lew Maxim gun companies, were
above mentioned WM' 0 ' ! | n ' | r;ui, to undergo quarantine. The remainder of the
on the 24th S n 10n follow e d .; n dhows towed by the British ship “ Woodcock ”
will be disnatohod ^ ^ r ^ ai a J e ^ or serv ice after convalescence and disinfection
fo, U,e
for dlitchtoGefzan 1^7 '1 m0ved from Beit-el-Fakih to Djabana
spateh Geezan, but several cases of cholera have since occurred amongst the men.
I have, &c.
G. A. RICHARDSON.