'File X/3 Disorders & Raids near Basra & in Koweit [Kuwait] Hinterland' [‎45r] (89/303)

came away with the impression that the Shaikh has no intention of changing his
n ^ j —Sin T ce , the above lv ' as dra fted I have heard that the entire force will be
collected near Jahra within the next three or four days and that the Kuwait
leaders are to receive their final instructions from Shaikh Mubarak on Friday
(the i st April). ^
Extracts from Kuwait Political Diary.
20th March. Report reached Kuwait to-day of the defeat of the Bin Subah
and Bin baud fighting forces by Shaikh Sadun of the Muntafik on the 16th
March between Ar Rakhaimiya, Waguba and Zaraibiat. It appears that on that
date the combined force early m the morning attacked first and defeated the
Muntahk who retnred without any great loss. Shortly afterwards, Shaikh
Sadun delivered a vigorous counter-attack from a flank against the right wing
composed of Kuwait Araibadar and Umtair Bedouins and apparently the Kuwait
men made no attempt at a stand, Shaikh Jabir and his followers fleeing almost
at once, leaving the Bin Subah war-flag and half their “ thaluls ” in the hands of
the enemy. Meanwhile Bin Saud and his brothers supported by the Ajman on
the left wing were engaged with others of Shaikh Sadun’s force and appear to
have made gallant efforts to save the day. In retreating, which they seem to
have carried out methodically, they made three stands, but owing to the flight of
the Kuwait men were powe less to turn a defeat into victory. In the first suc
cessful attack, the Ajman secured about 50 horses from the Dhaffir who directly
opposed them.
, * s sa 'd to have been due partly to the surprise and vigour of
Sadun s counter-attack, and mainly to Sadun’s force being far larger than
was anticipated especially in horsemen The report goes that Sadun^ besides
his Muntafik Bedouin had with him 500 horsemen of the Shammar, nearly all
l h , e D , h f a ?, r sect,ons and the ’Lbadur, Ziad, ’Smait, As Safa, El Maiarids
Mam Malik, Ash Shraifat, Bani Husseini, Ar Rafaiat, A 1 hathool, A 1 Khaza’ale
Bam Hawaikim, Bam Lami, Bani Khagan, Bani ’Said and others.
The force under his command contained nearly 4,000 horsemen and Iar^ e
number of dismounted men and no thaluls. while the Bin Subah and Bin Saud
combined force was largely composed of thalul-riders with only about 1 000
horsemen. *
It is said if Bin Saud had not been present the Bin Subah forces would have
been completely destroyed. Only a few casualties so far are reported on the
Bin Subah side, none of the bigger Shaikhs having been killed. It is said
Shaikh Sadun ordered that none of the enemy should be put to death, that
only their arms should be taken and the men allowed to go unmolested. The
force is returning to Jahra and awaits Shaikh Mubarak’s orders, though it is
considered certain fresh efforts will be made at once and a second attempt
launched at Sadun as soon as re-inforcements have been collected.
The above report was given to the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. by a small Ajman Shaikh
who was present in the fighting.
21st March .—Shaikh Mubarak has proclaimed in the bazaar that no firearms
should be sold to any foreigners. He has collected, it is said, a large number
of rifles from all the firearms dealers last night.
He has also ordered lists to be made of all the townsmen from which to
choose men for his second expedition against the Muntafik Shaikh. It is
rumoured the Shaikh has bought 1,000 camels from a Syrian. He is undoubtedly 4
making arrangements on a much bigger scale than before and, it is said, has
asked help from Shaikh Khazal ; whilst Bin Saud has summoned his Nejada to
join in the new raid. Bin Saud, it is said, has purchased Arab clothes $ 1,000 for
distribution amongst the Bedouins who have lost their belongings in the last raid.
There is a renewed heavy demand lor camels and firearms in Kuwait and every
body seems busy over some detail or other in connection with the forthcoming
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