'Military report on Iraq. Area 9 (Central Kurdistan)' [‎161v] (327/394)

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THE SURCHI.
Recent History, 1919.—At the time of the occupation of Aqra
by the Zibaris at the end of 1919 the Surchi participated to some
extent in the looting which followed. Punitive measures against
the tribe were considered ; but, as they remained quiet and did
not interfere with our lines of communication, it was decided to
leave them alone.
1920.'—The intrigue of the Zibaris, however, proved too powerful
for the Surchi leaders. In January, 1920, Paris Agha of Zibar
came with an armed following to Bajil, the village of Shaikh
Ubaidullah, and was so evidently trying to bring about an attack
on Aqra that it was decided to bomb Bajil. The Zibaris withdrew,
and, although Shaikh Ubaidullah appeared anxious to come in,
he failed to report himself. A state of veiled hostility prevailed
in February and March, during which time the Turks were busy
with propaganda. In April, 1920, a military convoy was ambushed
on its way to Aqra, and a few days later the town itself was
attacked. A most spirited defence was put up, the rebels being
forced to retire. A subsequent punitive column destroyed the
strongholds of the insurgents, chiefs of whom fled to the hills.
The next four months were uneventful, except for a number of
raids by Surchi and Zibar tribesmen in the Aqra neighbourhood.
In September, 1920, most of the Aqra Surchi joined the
Desht-i-Harir sections in the rising, which resulted in the evacua
tion of Rowanduz and Batas. The despatch of columns from
Mosul and Kirkuk forced the Surchi to recross the Zab into the
Aqra district, where they proceeded to attack the Assyrian camp
at Jujar. Being beaten off, they were again driven across the
Zab with considerable losses. At the end of 1920 three Surchi
chiefs came into Mosul, and accepted terms of surrender.
During 1921 the Aqra Surchi, contrary to the sections in the
Arbil Liwa, remained quiet. In September of that year Shaikh
Ubaidullah visited Arbil, but took fright, rejected the terms of
submission, and returned to outlawry. At the end of 1921, the
Desht-i-Harir sections became so out of hand that punitive
measures had to be undertaken by ground troops and aircraft.
These were continued into the following year.
1922.—During 1922 the Surchi succumbed to the intrigues
of the Turks, and the whole tribe became almost completely out
of control. A police patrol was ambushed near Aqra, one con
stable being killed and two wounded. At the time of the attack
on Amadia in 1922 the Surchi also gave cause for the greatest
anxiety, because Euz Demir was urging the tribal leaders to over
throw the administration in Aqra. The chiefs, however, were
unwilling to move against a strongly defended town without
military support, and the Turkish Commander’s schemes came
to nought.