'Military Report on Iraq. Area 2 (Upper Euphrates)' [‎17r] (38/140)

Communications .—
(i) To Baghdad via Fallujah (64 miles). Passable for all
arms in good weather.
(ii) Track across the Jazirah to Samarrah (60 miles).
Passable for Ford vans in good weather.
(iii) To Anah via Hit or Kubaisah (112 miles). Passable
for L.A.M.B. cars in good weather.
(iv) To Rahhaliyah by desert road (50 miles). Passable
for L.A.M.B. cars in good weather.
Connected with Baghdad and Hit by telegraph.
Inhabitants .—The population of Ramadi is 3,000. The
inhabitants are all Muhammadan, with the exception of one
Christian family.
Camping Grounds .—Downstream of the town on the right
bank of the river for an infantry division. There is a good
aerodrome half a mile south of the town.
Administration.—\.n Turkish days Ramadi was the head
quarters of a Qaimmaqam. After British occupation it was the
headquarters of the Political Officer of the Dulaim division, but
to-day under the Arab Government it has a Mutassarif.
Raqqa .—The town of Raqqa lies on the left bank of the
Euphrates 112-| miles upstream of Dair-al-Zor, the actual site
being about one mile inland from the river. The town stands
in the south-west corner of a large semi-circular enclosure
formed by an old brick wall with round bastions at intervals.
The remains of an old mosque stand in the middle of this
enclosure. A Circassian colony lies to the west of the Arab
village outside the enclosure on high broken ground, and to the
east is another ruin-field with a minaret rising from its centre.
The town is generally dirty and most insanitary conditions
prevail.
Water. —Unlimited from the Euphrates.
Supplies and Commerce .—The town is surrounded by culti
vation, and supplies for a cavalry regiment could be obtained
if several days’ notice were given. It is the market town for
neighbouring tribes.
Grazing. —Depends on the rain, but usually very good.
Communications .—
(i) To Baghdad via right bank Euphrates (384 miles).
Passable for Ford vans.
(ii) To Aleppo (128 miles). Passable for Ford vans.
(iii) To Meskene via left bank Euphrates (112 miles).
Passable for pack transport.