'Handbook of Yemen' [‎45r] (94/190)

56.—Khotab, Beni.
A small Zeidi tribe settled about three hours' journey
south of Menakhah. They number about 2,300 souls and
are under Turkish jurisdiction.
Chief Sheikh : Husein el-Mudmani.
Chief villages : Hasaban, Beni ( Abat, Judab, Beit
Madar, Mujwarat el-Kirham.
57.—'Ahlas, Beni.
A small tribe, numbering about 2,400 souls, of the Da/ud-
iyah sect, settled to the east of Menakhah, near the Beni
Murrah and Beni Muqatil, with whom they are allied.
They are good fighters and support the Turks, chiefly by
reason of their hatred of the Imam and his Zeidi followers.
Coffee and kat are grown in their country.
Their chief Sheikh is Nasir Husein el-'Ahlasi, an old man
of about sixty-five, who visited Constantinople just before
the deposition of Sultan Abdul Hamid.
Chief villages: Seihan, Marabah, Rabitah, Rubeidah,
and Musna'.
58.—Muqatil.
A warlike tribe in the hilly country between Menakhah
and Mefhak, Husn 5 Awad being their chief fortress. During
the siege of Menakhah in 1911 their country was overrun by
the Imam's troops and they fought against him in self-de
fence. They bear no love for the Turks, but on that occasron
were glad to receive arms and food from the Kaimakam
of Menakhah in return for their help. They are of the
Da'udiyah sect and are markedly hostile to their Zeidi
co -religionists, such as the Anis. They muster between
2,400 and 2,700 fighting men and are allied with the Beni
Murrah and Beni 'Ahlas.
59.—Murrah, Beni.
A small tribe of the Da udiyah sect, inhabiting with the
Muqatil and Beni Ahlas, their allies, the country between