Ext 6588/47 'Air action in Aden Protectorate: copy of Secretary of State for Colonies minute to PM, 9 May 1947: note by External Department on Bombing on North West Frontier' [‎20r] (39/46)

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D; 0.(47) 45
12TH MAY 3 1947
CABINET
DEFENCE COMM ITT'
AIR ACTION IN THE ADEN PROTECTORATE
Mem or andum by Secretary of Etate for the Colonies
(i) The Ahwar-Habban Road Incident
On 17th March, the Governor of Aden reported on an
incident on the Ahwar-Habban trade route in the Y/estern Aden
Drotectorate. Early in January a caravan proceeding to
Habban had been attacked in Lower Alaqui country by the
Khalili section of the Mansuri tribe. Two of the aggressors
and two of the travellers had been killed, and the caravan,
which was carrying goods and specie to the alleged value of
DIO,000, had been looted. On 17th January leaflets were
dropped from the air requiring all sections of the Mansuris
to come to Ahwar by tht> end of the month to exculpate or
explain themselves. They refused on a frivolous pretext,
and a goodwill mission of leading Arabs from the area
concerned was despatched to reason with them. It met
with no success.
The Governor describes this as the gravest incident
of its kind for many years, and emphasises the need lor
early action in the interests of future security in the.
Western Aden Protectorate. He has pointed out triat while
it is too late in the season to undertake ground operations,
air action seems necessary should the tribe continue obaumtu.
He proposes to summon the tribal Sheikhs to a meeting at
which an ultimatum, requiring the restoration ox the looted
property will be delivered, and asks permission to threaten
air action then, and to employ it if the summons or ultimatum
is not complied with.
(ii) The use of air action hitherto
The practice of punitive air action against
recalcitrant tribes in the Aden Protectorate is well
established and seems to be understood by those against
whom it is likely to be used. It is indeed in many cases
the ultimate sanction to which the Government can turn.
Though open to criticism, the practice is, I am assured,
in suitable circumstances and with the safeguards laid down,
the most effective method of maintaining order and che
least costly in human life. The casualties on such
occasions are usually negligible if not non-existent, and
as time goes on, the occasions requiring the use of this
sanction become progressively rarer.