'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎127v] (259/470)

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Administrative Report on the Basrah Division for the
Year 1918.
1. Political and Tribal : Geographical. —The Basrah Division comprises the
Basrah Sanjaq and the district of Zubair, and the boundaries of each are set down
as follows:—
Boundaries of the Basrah Sanjaq. Eastern Boundary. —Line delineated by
Turko-Persian Boundary Commission from Fao to No. 12 Boundary Pillar.
Northern Boundary. —Same line from Pillar No. 12 to No. 14.
Western Boundary. —From No. 14 due south across the desert until cultivated
lands are reached, where line follows the existing division between Mashwah
(Qurnah) and Zuraiji (Basrah), viz., Abu Tabar channel, ‘Urman channel and out
on to the main river by the Abu Gharrab. The line runs diagonally across the
main river to Nahr Shujail, the northern boundary of the Nahr Umar estate, which
it follows through the cultivated area. Across the marsh the line runs south-w^est
to ‘Ulaiwi (included) and thence down to the railway line at Rumailah station
(excluded). Thence along the railway line (excluded) from Rumailah to Zubair
station (excluded), and thence east of the railway line to Jabal Sanam and on to
head of Khor Zubair, w'hich it follows until it joins the Khor ‘Abdullah and thence
to the sea, leaving Warbah in Kmvait territory.
Southern Boundary. —The seashore.
Boundaries of the Zubair District. Eastern Boundary. —Coincides with the
western boundary of Basrah Sanjaq as far as Rumailah station (included).
Northern Boundary. —‘Along the north side of railway as far as Tall-al-Lahm
(included); thence after crossing railway line runs in an easterly direction to Tall
Abu Shahrain (included).
Western Boundary. —(Not accurately known). Line roughly follows Linah
Road out into desert.
Southern Boundary .—Undetermined from Linah Road eastwards to A1 Batin,
which it cuts at A1 Ratk; thence north-eastwards for about 2 miles along A1 Batin ;
thence due east, passing north of Jabal-Sanam and Safwan (excluded), to Umm
Qasr (excluded) on Khor ‘Abdullah.
Nahiyahs of the Basrah Sanjaq. —The Sanjaq is divided into four nahiyahs
bounded as follows :—
(a) Shatt-al-Arab. East. —A line drawn from Nahr Khaiyun along the Persian
boundary line to Pillar 12.
North. The Persian boundary line from Pillar 12 to Pillar 14.
West. From Pillar 14 a straight line due south across the desert to the Nahr
‘Abdul Jabbar, then following the latter to the Nahr Dam‘an and following same
upstream to the Nahar Abul Gharrab and along this creek to the Shatt-al-‘Arab,
then southwards along a line down the centre of the river, keeping the islands of
Muhammadiyah in Harthah, and Mahmudiyah in the Military Governor’s area.
South. The centre of the Shatt-al-Arab, including the islands of ‘Ujairawivah,
Salhiyah and Tmvayilah.
{b) Fao Nahiyah. North. —On the river a line drawn at a right angle from the
mouth of Nahr Qata‘. An imaginary line running south-west from the Nahr
Qata‘ to the Khor Zubair to a point on the Khor on a straight line between the
west-end of Nahr Qata‘ and Jabal Sanam.
East. The frontier fixed by the Turco-Persian Boundary Commission to the
sea, viz., the low-water maik on the left bank of the Shatt-al-‘Arab, keeping islands
on the left bank in Persian territory.
South. The seashore.
11 est. The Khor Zubair and Khor Abdullah to the sea, leaving the island
of Warbah in Kuwait.