"تقرير عسكري عن بلاد الرافدين (العراق)" [و‎‎٣‎٦] (٢٢٦/٧٦)

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(4) Like all nomadic tribes, the Fadan practise no
agriculture, and are pastoral. They are, therefore, com
pelled to follow grazing and depend largely for other
supplies on towns such as Damascus, Aleppo and Dair al
Zor. This restriction to certain supply depots offers
facilities for hitting the tribe in a vulnerable spot.
(5) Feuds. —The Fadan, like other Anizah sections,
wages a bitter feud with the Shammar Jarba.
( 6 ) Combinations, etc. —The Anizah as a whole do not
cohere together. The Fadan, however, cling well together
under Hachim and are likely to show a solid front
against an enemy.
(7) The Fadan have a reputation as fighters, and in
1921 caused the French considerable perturbation by
their lightning raids on townships in Syria. Noted
horse-breeders, the tribe is naturally well mounted and
adept at the desert game of “ cut and run.”
( 8 ) The Fadan speak desert Arabic, which differs con
siderably from that of the towns.
(9) The Fadan are Sunnis, but their faith, like that
of all desert tribes, is touched with paganism. In spite
of this they are apt to become fanatical in times of
“ Jihad,” and are inclined to follow the Turks rather
than the Sharifian family.
( 10 ) The dominant principle in any tribal movement
will be the facility or otherwise of obtaining loot. At
the same time, Turkish propaganda exercises consider
able influence at the moment, and, in event of a Turkish
move in force on Dair al Zor, the Fadan would
inevitably take part.
( 11 ) Tribal disturbances are liable to occur throughout
the year, but more especially in the migration seasons
or in a bad pasturage year.
( 12 ) Punitive measures against the Fadan present
many difficulties—expanse of terrain, waterless deserts,
habitable country for tribes but impassable for regular
troops, and the fact that Turkey offers a haven of
refuge in Northern Jazirah. The main route, i.e., Dair
al Zor-Aleppo, could be kept clear by constant
patrolling by armoured cars, but operations away from
the river would have little success. As the Fadan have
no villages, the destruction of immovable property is
out of the question. The exclusion from the Dair al Zor
and Aleppo markets, the seizure of flocks, and the defeat
of whatever bodies of the tribe were met are the only
punitive measures within the scope of land forces. It
remains to be seen how far aerial action will prove
successful against mobile tribesmen.