"تقارير إدارة أقسام ومناطق الأراضي المحتلة في بلاد الرافدين لسنة ١٩١٨. المجلد I" [و‎‎١‎٩‎٧] (٤٧٠/٣٩٨)

This force is armed with • 303 Martini carbines, provided by Government,
also 100 rounds per man, and is inspected regularly by Assistant Political Officer,
Suq al Shuyukh.
11. Labour. A most interesting experiment was attempted in October.
The Political Officer, Nasiriyah, was in urgent need of labour to complete work on
the Sayih Channel, and Suq tribesmen were asked to provide 4,000 men. On the
question being put to them, a unanimous decision to “ faz‘ah ” (call to arms) was
decided upon. The result was most successful. On the appointed day all tribal
banners were unfurled and each tribe in this district provided its quota of men,
and proceeded, with its Shaikh at its head, to Sayih (about 14 miles above Nasiriyah).
The tribes took with them all their coffee-pots and household stores and camped
on the site of their work. Unfortunately the influenza scourge broke out just
about this period and hampered the work considerably. Many deaths occurred.
In all about 12 days were spent at Sayih, when, owing to the sickness, the work
had to be abandoned.
On the whole it was a most interesting experiment. Shaikhs who had control
over their tribes were able to produce their full quota of men and to retain them
at their work until released.
It may be of interest also to note that the last time Suq tribes were asked to
faz‘ah was by the Turks, when they fought against us at Shutaibah.
The influenza epidemic for a time seriously hampered the work of the dredgers
and also the harvesting of crops. Several hundred men have been supplied daily
for several months now for work on the dredgers. Several thousand more will
now be required to complete the scheme of raising the new dredger bund to above
known flood level, and steps are now being taken to get them to “ faz‘ah ” again.
The Suq tribesman is an independent man with his date-trees and rice land. He
would rather pay a substitute at the Government hire than work as a coolie. He
refuses to turn out in inclement weather. The job ahead required by the District
Irrigation Officer will not be an easy matter, but will be done.
12. Miscellaneous.— On 5th June, Capt. R. A. Haysom was relieved by
Capt. A. H. Ditchburn.
Capt. B. S. Thomas joined as Assistant Political Officer, Suq al Shuyukh, and
was relieved on the 17th December 1918 by Lieut. C. I. J. Berkeley.
13. Establishment and Personnel.— Lists of all personnel are attached
herewith. A short note on good work done by officials is shown hereunder.
Kadhirn Hamdani, Arab assistant to the Assistant Political Officer. Of all
of the officials in Suq district, none more merits award and recognition than Kadhim
Hamdani. During the various phases of the war, through fortune and misfortune
alike, he has shown the same unflagging faithfulness and dogged purpose in the
discharge of many and arduous duties.
Mudirs : (1) Shaikh Farhud al Mughashghash, Mudir of Hammar and ‘Akaikah,
has continued to show the same steadfast loyalty to Government which he displayed
in the very early days of the war. The influence which he has wielded and continues
to wield, not only'm Suq district but also among the Hammar Lake tribes, has
contributed largely to the smooth running of the administration of this district.
(2) Shaikh Hammudah al Busharah was appointed Mudir of Al Hasan on the
1st April 1918, and has contrived by his tact and good management to maintain
order in Al Hasan.
(3) Saiyid Yusuf al Ba‘aj, Mudir of Bani Sa‘id, continues to do good work.
(4) Shaikh Hamid of Khamisiyah continues to show the same loyalty to
Government as he has shown in the past.
(5) Shaikh Sulaiman al Nasrullah, Mudir of Albu Salih, is carrying on well
in a difficult position.
( 6 ) Thamir Beg al Sa‘dun, Commandant of the Suq Sowar force, a leading
Sa‘duni notable and a staunch supporter of Government, has faithfully carried
on all the work of maintaining order in the Shamiyah district.
Fazal Qadir, Mamur of Revenue. A conscientious and hard worker. I cannot
speak too highly of the way he has carried out his duties as head clerk. Respected
and liked by the local community and tribal Shaikhs, I am confident that as Mamur
of Revenue he will continue to work with the same honesty of purpose in a wider
field for his capabilities.
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