'Military Report on Iraq. Area 2 (Upper Euphrates)' [‎7v] (19/140)

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Political Officer of the Dulaim division. This marked the end
of the insurrection as far as it concerned the Upper Euphrates.
On 4th October Hit was re-occupied by a detachment of
our troops without incident, and in April, 1921, an Arab
Qaimmazam was established at Anah under the Mutassarif
of Ramadi.
The advent of the new Arab Government of Iraq has up to
the time of writing (May, 1921) produced no material change
in the political situation on the Upper Euphrates, although
there is a general atmosphere of interest in future possibilities.
CHAPTER II.
Geogbaphy.
Area.—-The area dealt with in this volume is about 22,000
square miles in extent. It may be described as the stretch of
the Euphrates between Raqqa and Fallujah with an arbitrary
boundary in the desert on both the right and left banks of the
river.
Boundaries .—Owing to the absence of suitable landmarks
in the desert, the boundaries are best appreciated by a reference
to the key map in the pocket at the end of the volume.
General Description .—The area in general consists of a steppe
like desert plateau with rocky outcrops much resembling the
South African Kopjes, some of which rise to a height of 200
to 300 feet above the level of the surrounding country.
During the late autumn, winter and spring, this desert after
good rains is covered with grass, various sorts of desert wild
flowers, spinifex (salt bush) and various forms of shrubs which
provide excellent grazing for camels. At this period too, water
is to be obtained from depressions in the ground or from the bed
of Wadis where it has collected after rains. During this season
movement is easy, and Badawin Arabs principally from the
Anizah and Shammar tribes wander from tract to tract in well-
defined areas grazing their extensive flocks of camels and sheep
and indulging in the exhilarating pastime of the tribal raid.
About the end of April or the beginning of May the desert
becomes parched brown and dry. Except at certain wells
known to the Badawin, no water is to be obtained, and move
ment, except for small parties mounted on camels, becomes
impossible.