'Military Report on Mesopotamia (Iraq)' [‎26r] (56/226)

mounted men. Aeroplanes by themselves are, however,
unable to compel the surrender or defeat of hostile
tribes. The effects of aeroplane action are chiefly moral
in such country as the Jazirah, and the main task of
defeating and breaking up a hostile gathering must
ultimately rest with cavalry or mounted infantry.
Tribes in relation to possible Centres of Disturbance.
(i) Dair al Zor. —Dair al Zor is an important tribal
centre and desert post, where various tribes from east
and west of the Euphrates come to replenish their com
missariat and sell their flocks. As it is now administered
by the French, any contingency in its vicinity is only
of indirect interest to the Government of Iraq. The
Shammar Jarba regard the town as one of their chief
market towns, while the Jubur and Khabur also use it
as a supply centre. West of the Euphrates the chief
tribal groups, who are interested in Dair al Zor, are the
Anizah. It has been the policy of the French for some
time to keep an Anizah Governor in the town, and it is
questionable if the Shammar have for this reason been
able to obtain their usual supplies from it. In the event
of a disturbance in Dair al Zor, the Shammar Jarba,
the Fadan section of the Anizah, the Tai, Jubur and
Baggarah would all send contingents after loot. They
would inevitably also fight amongst themselves. Com
bined French and British action from Dair al Zor and
Mosul respectively would effectively bring the Shammar
to heel, provided the Turks kept aloof.
(ii) Balad Sinjar. —Balad Sin jar, in the event of a
Yezidi rising against the Arab Government of Iraq—not
a remote possibility if the British influence is removed
or withdrawn—would probably be the goal not only of
repressive government troops, but also of the Shammar,
Jarba, Tai, Tel Afar, Mutaiwid, Juhaish and Jubur of
the Khabur.
following would be the
numbers involved: —
Rifles.
Yezidis
2,400
Shammar
6,000
Tai
1,065
Tel Afaris
960
Mutaiwid
250
Juhaish
380
Jubur
1,825