Coll 6/7(2) 'The Yemen: Relations between H.M.G. and the Yemen.' [‎68r] (146/732)

(16263)
by the ’Amil of A1 Beidha, was interfering with Ahl Bura’a, an ’Audhali sub-section
on the western border of Al Kor, and had plundered livestock. A letter of protest
from the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. brought no satisfaction; and the ’Amil of Al Beidha claimed
Ahl Bura’a as being part of Ahl Barkan under his control, and on his part, complained
against the ’Audhaii Sultan for interfering with ’Audhali tribesmen who were under
tlie control of the Imam. The Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. expressed the intention not to interfere
between the ’Audhali Sultan and his own subjects and made it clear that His Majesty s
Government did not recognize the right of the Imam to occupy ’Audhali territory.
July, 1932.—The ’Amil of Al Beidha, under orders from the Imam, closed the
route through ’Audhali territory to trade from Al Beidha to Aden. At the same
time, the ’Amil, on his own initiative, entered into' a trade agreement with the Lower
Yafa’i Sultan, who is in treaty relations with His Majesty’s Government, for the
safe conveyance of trade through Yafa’i territory.
October, 1932.—Under pressure from the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , the Lower Yafa’i Sultan
cancelled the above agreement, and this fact, coupled with the prevention of caravans
for ill Beidha from leaving Aden, compelled the ’Amil to reopen the ’Audhali route.
March, 1933.—Renewed complaints by the ’Audhali Sultan of raids by Imamic
tribesmen on eastern sub-sections of the ’Audhali tribe.
April, 1933.—Reports from the ’Audhali .Sultan of increased oppression on
’Audhali tribesmen under Imamic control, by the ’Amil of Al Beidha.
May, 1933.—The Amil of Al Beidha sent a letter to the Shaikh of the Ahl Daman,
of Al Kor, under ’Audhali control, to pay a visit to him to Al Beidha to discuss the
matter of certain Imamic refugees who were living with him. The Damani Shaikh
agreed, and on arrival at Al Beidha was offered a monthly subsidy if he would submit
to the Imam. The Shaikh refused and returned home.
The ’Amil of Al Beidha arrested 10 ’Audhali Shaikhs from Adh Dhahir ’Audhali
sections, and imprisoned them in chains.
July, 1933.—A small party of tribesmen from Adh Dhahir, actuated by a local
family feud, but instigated and assisted by Zeidi officials descended on to Al Kor from
Adh Dhahir and attacked two villages.
General .—The continued alienation of the most fertile part of the Audhah
Sultan’s territories under oppressive Zeidi control, notwithstanding the protective
clause m the Treaty between the ’ Audhah Sultan and His Majesty s Government.
The continued retention of a number of Audhahs as hostages by the Imam.
Enclosure 2 in No.
(Secret.)
An Appreciation of the Military Measures required to restore to the
“ Audhali ” Tribe the Portion of their Territory on Adh Dhahir Plateau
AT PRESENT IN :C ZEIDI ” OCCUPATION, DATED 24TH JUNE, 1933, BY GROUP-CAPTAIN
0. T. Boyd, O.B.E., M.C., A.F.O., Officer Commanding, British Forces at
Aden, for the Chief Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief, Aden.
Review of the Situation.
1. In 1925, in furtherance of a policy of encroachment on the Aden Protectorate
which had been pursued almost continuously by the Imam of the Yemen since the end
of the War of 1914-18, Zeidi forces occupied tribal territory belonging to the ’Audhali
both in Adh Dhahir on the top of Al Kor, and in Al Hadhn below. They were, how
ever, driven back by tribal action, with the assistance of three Bristol lighter aircraft
of the Aden Flight based on Shuqra. Air operations were confined to the bombing of
Zeidi troops in Adh Dhahir and the Zeidi headquarters in Al Hadhn in the villages
of Az Zara and Lodar, and ceased as soon as both areas had been cleared of the
invaders. Within two days of the withdrawal of the air support, the Zeidi forces
successfully reoccupied Adh Dhahir, and the ’Audhali tribesmen retired to Al Hadhn
at the foot of Al Kor owing, so they alleged at the time, to a lack of ammunition and
supplies. The Zeidi reoccupation stopped short at the crest of Al Kor, leaving Al Pladhn
in, the hands of the ’Audhali Sultan.
2. The indecisive result of these operations appears to have been due to the
following causes :—
(i) Aircraft had only short range and small bomb carrying capacity.
(ii) Insufficient aircraft were available.
(hi) Lack of advanced landing grounds—Shuqra only being available.