File 3300/1916 Pt 3 'Aden News-Letters: 1919-20' [‎330r] (15/633)

The traveller further reports that there is much sickuess at Shahara, 200 having
died in one week.
s Another traveller states that he met Syed Abdulla Ibrahim, referred to in my last
^tter, with Said Abdullah of Damaar and Saiyid Ali-al- Wazir Minister. , the Amil of Taiz, at
erim, and that Said Ahmed, who came from Sana to Ibb, has gone to A1 Gened. He
is constantly moving between Ibb, Taiz, Yerim and A1 Gened. They all anticipate a
( British advance, and are showing much activity. They are said to have posted three
guns at Taiz to shoot down our aeroplanes.
The Sana agent of the Political Officer, Hodeida, states that Saiyid Abdulla
Ibrahim is touring to raise a force against Ibn Saud, and that he is expected to visit
Dala via Kataba.
This agent further states that an Imamic mission sent to Saada has been detained
there by Sayid Abu Neb, and that the Imam has proceeded to Ptada in order to collect
troops to attack Abu Neb. The agent says that before his departure to Bada the Imam
called a meeting of the people and besought them with tears in his eyes to defend their
faith and country against the aggression of the supporters of the infidels. His
words and tears aroused the sympathy of the audience, who responded with cries
“We are ready to give our lives and property in the cause of our religion and
country.”
The Imam is said to have refused Mahmud Nadhim’s request to send Turkish
soldiers to Menakha.
Aden Protectorate. —Our Intelligence Agent at Dala reports that a rumour to the
effect that the British force at Nohat Dakim had received some aeroplanes, caused
something like a panic among the Zeidis at Dala.
The same agent says that Saiyid Yahya recently appointed two officials for the
assessment of tithes. This has given rise to dissatisfaccion amongst the local tribesmen.
The agent visited Mausatta in September last. He states that the Naqibs have
at their disposal a tribal force of about 1,000 to 1,200 men for the defence of their
boundaries against Imamic aggression.
The two petty Upper Yafa sheikhs who had gone to Dala to negotiate for the
release of prisoners are now reported to have returned, having failed to attain their
object.
The Lower Yafa Sultan, Ibn Afif, is reported to have made a pact with the Rasasi
Sultan of Beda to drive the Zaidis out of Dala. The Lower Yafa Sultan, says an
informant, can raise a force of 800 men with little difficulty.
Trouble is said to be brewing between the Lower Yafa and the Fadli tribes over
the possession of Husn Hilma, which is still in the hands of the latter (please see news
letter dated the 13th August, 1920).
The departure of Saiyid Mahomed Shami referred to in my last letter from Dala
is confirmed. One report states that he deserted, while another states that he left
with the knowledge of the Imam’s commander, and that he has taken with him sixteen
mules laden with rifle and gun ammunition, and that there are only six mules and four
boxes of ammunition now left in Dala.
Saif Abdulla, a Shafai sheikh of the Ibb district, is reported to have arrived at
Dala on the *_ 9 th October with 400 men, 200 of whom are Zaidis and the remainder
Shafais from Ba’adan. I have so far received no confirmation of this report.
The Imam’s commander at Dala Saiyid Yahya is said to have enlisted 300 Shairis
(Amins) for local service 5 240 men, of whom 50 are from Jalela and 190 from Waara
(Amiri), are said to have been sent to Sana under Naqib Maasar. Ihese reports are
not confirmed.
A traveller from Rada states that he saw at Damar 800 men of whom 500 were
Zaidis and the remainder local men. He heard that they were going to Dala to
relieve the present garrison which w T as much reduced by sickness.
The commander at Dala is reported to have taken an additional hostage from
each of the Shairi sheikhs, and from Muqbil Abdulla (Kotaibi). The Alawi sheikh,
Abdul Nabi, has given his son, Mohsin, as a hostage to tbe Zaidis. The Kotaibis under
Muqbil Abdulla said to have sought the help of the Zaidis against the Dhambari tribe,
with whom they are at feud. The commander at Dala promised the desired assistance,
but on learning that Mohamed Saleh-al-Akram, the Kotaibi sheikh had received
ammunition from Aden, he withdrew his assistance and put Muqbil Abdullas hostages
in chains.
Aden, November 25, 1920.
T. E. SCOTT, Major-General.