'Reconnaissances in Mesopotamia, Kurdistan, North-West Persia, and Luristan from April to October 1888. By Lt F R Maunsell, Intelligence Branch. In Two Volumes. Volume I: narrative report, description of larger towns and routes leading from them. Simla: Intelligence Branch, Quarter Master General's Dept, 1890' [‎21v] (47/312)

28
The stages are—
1. Jadaida
2. Zedaida
3. Dalli Abbas
4. Kara Tapa
6 . Kifri
6 . Tuz Khurmati
7. Tank
8 . Kirkuk
9. Altun Keupri
10. Erbil
11. Kalak
12. Mosul
Intermediate.
Total.
Miles.
Miles.
18
18
16
34
33
67
28
95
22
117
24
141
21
162
25
187
27
214
30
244
21
265
33
298
This is an easy route, and easily passable for artillery throughout its entire
length (see Kifri and Mosul).
Another route to Mosul follows the right bank of the Tigris, and presents
no difficulties, except that between Tikrit and Mosul there are no villages, and
only Arab camps from which to obtain supplies.
Raiding parties of the Shammar Arabs render this route unsafe.
For description of this route, 'see Mosul.
Route to Sulaimaniah .—The direct route follows the Mosul post road as far
as Kifri, and from there over the Kara Daghby the Sagirma Pass to Sulaiman
iah. For description of the portion from Kifri to Sulaimaniah, see Route VI.
The total distance is 206 miles.
The Sagirma Pass and parts of the road would require improving to be
passable for artillery.
From Kifri to Sulaimaniah this is scarcely ever used by travellers or
caravans, owing to its passing through the country of the Hamavvand and
Jaf Kurds, who are noted robbers.
There is another route along which a military road has been partially made,
which goes to Sulaimaniah through Kirkuk. This makes a detour to the
north-west, and is less direct than the former, but is more frequented.
Routes across the Desert .—The straightest route across the Syrian Desert for
camel riders to reach the Mediterranean is that followed by the late Consular
dromedary post.
Baghdad to Damascus is about nine days from Baghdad, constant going
by dromedary. From Damascus to Beyrout some nine hours by mail cart.
The following are the halting-places on the road, with the approximate
distances between them:
Miles.
Saklawiyeh
• ••
...
... 40
Rumadi
... 26
Hit
• ••
... 40
Gisair Khubbaz ...
...
... 35
Aamij
...
... 24
Raj mi Sabrn
... !!*.
... 20
Imheywar (Wells) ...
... 23
lydawa
...
... 35
Igaara (Wells) ...
... 38
Zagf
... 40
lltinf ,,,
... 45
Rummana
... 34
Aitha ,,,
... 27
Idhmair ...
... 43
Damascus
...
...
... 45
Total distance
... 515
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