File 3939/1926 Pt 3 'Publications: Revision of Aitchison's Treaties: Aden and Arabia Sections.' [‎36r] (65/410)

ADEN —The Fadthli and the Akrahi.
11
he urged that these were only fees willingly paid for escorts furnished
to caravans beyond his own limits, and the matter was not pursued.
Hostilities with the lower Yafai continued intermittently.
In March 1907, Sultan Ahmed bin Husain died and was succeeded
by his father Husain bin Ahmed.
The Sultan was considered disloyal during the Great War, on account
of an agreement which he signed with the Turks at Lahej, and his
stipend was stopped. After the Armistice he satisfactorily explained
his conduct and the stipend was restored.
In 1924* the Sultan died and was succeeded by his grandson, Sultan
Abdul Kader.
In 1926, a truce was made between the Fadthli and the Lower Yafai
for one year. This has since been extended to four years, and a settle
ment of their long-standing feud is being arranged by Sayed Ali bin
Hassan, nephew of Khan Bahadur Sayed Hussein, el Mehdar, Minister
of the Sultan of Shehr and Mokalla.
In March 1927/ Sultan Abdul Kader died and was succeeded by his
uncle Sultan Abdulla bin Husein.
The population of this tribe is estimated at 24,000, and the gross
revenue at Its. 35,000 a year.
The Fadthli Sultan is entitled to a salute of 9 guns, which was
formally gazetted on the 1st January 1877.
(4) The Akrabi.
The Akrabi tribe are a subdivision of the Abdali, who, under Shaikh
Mahdi, threw off allegiance to Abdul Karim of Lahej and became
independent about the year 1770. They inhabit the coast-line from Bir
Ahmad to Bas Imran; inland their territory extends to an undefined
point between Bir Ahmad and Wahat. The only town, or rather village;
is that of Bir Ahmad. An Engagement (No. XXA II) wns concluded
in 1839 with their Chief, Shaikh Haidara Mahdi, after the capture of
Aden, and it was adhered to until the date of the third attack upon the
fortress in July 1840. Thenceforward for many years their attitude
was one of hostility. In 1850 they murdered a seaman of the Auckland.
This necessitated the blockade of the port of Bir Ahmad, which conti
nued for several years, and friendly relations with the tribe were not
resumed till 1857, when the Chief of the Akrabi tribe renewed (No.
XXVIII) his professions of peace and good will. In 1858 Shaikh Haidara
Mahdi resigned the Chiefship and was succeeded by his son Abdulla.
In 1863 an Agreement (No. XXIX) w r as made with him, by which he
engaged not to sell, mortgage, or give for occupation, save to the British