File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎279v] (567/834)

358 —
Khurma.
NOTES.
Mr. Philby reports, under date September 25, that Ibn
Shuleiwih, a sheikh of the Maqata section of the Ateiba,
recently attacked Khurma. [Note.— Ibu Shuleiwih is possibly
the son of Shalih, a chief of one or two sub-sections of A1
Bisasah, which forms a unit of the Maqata division of the Barqa
of Rukba. The popularity of diminutive forms of names in
Nejd has been noted by Palgrave, and an interesting example,
will be found in Bulletin No. 97, page 256.] The Ateiba, at
first successful, were attacked and defeated by the Ikhwan, Ibn
Shuleiwih and his nephew being slain. The last phase of the
fighting occurred at Hufeiyira in the neighbourhood of Harrat
Qishab. The tribal situation is obscure. According to a recent
report from Mecca, the Maqata, under the Sheikh Sultan ibn
Himayid have gone over to Wahhabism.
Sherif Shakir is reported to have moved from Marran {see
page 339) to Muweih Hakran, which he left for an unknown
destination. It appears that an engagement between Shakir and
the Ikhwan subsequently developed.at the Hunnu Wells, sixteen
miles east of Khurma. Mr. Philby’s news of the encounter is
gathered from the reports of certain Ageyl, who, having no
stomach for the fight, made off on their dhaluls before the en
counter began. They state that Shakir’s force was annihilated,
and he himself captured. Confirmation of this report is lacking.
An edition of the Qibla, which has not yet reached us,
apparently prepares the way for an admission of defeat by the
Sherifians.
Mr. Philby’s information, which does not tally with that
coming from Hejaz sources (see page 339), is that Shakir was
the aggressor and attacked on King Husein’s instructions. This
is assumed as a matter of course by Ibn Saud, who seizes the
opportunity to decline responsibility for the actions of the people
of Khurma and their allies. At the same time, however, he
undertakes^ not to intervene, provided that the King takes no
uither action against him and that we help him in his campaign
against the Shammar. His guarantee is somewhat shadowy,
seeing that he will not pledge himself to restrain the Neidis
irom going to the help of the people of Khurma.
Fakhri Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. has sent letters to Ibn Saud congratulating
hun on the victory of the Ikhwan over “ the rebel Husein ” and
oireimg him arms, ammunition, machine guns and money. He
does not, however, explain how he proposes to send them!
Ibn Saud s Campaign against the Shammar.
ti tWO P^V c ^P a ^^ es and Hail are again at war.
. )I1 ^ au( ma y claim to have won the first round on points : he
has heartened his supporters but apprised the enemy of his
intentions The following account of hostilities is taken from a
telegram of Mr. I hilby s, dated September 23 :—