'Military Report on Iraq. Area 2 (Upper Euphrates)' [‎32v] (69/140)

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passing travellers and caravans as well as shaktur loads of
merchandise proceeding down river.
7. After the Sharifian occupation of Dair-al-Zor in December,
1919, certain sections of the Aqaidat were affected by the
propaganda of Ramadhan al Shallash, who is himself a member
of the tribe. Their fanaticism and cupidity were specially
appealed to with the object of persuading them to raid our
lines of communication, so that owing to supply difficulties
we would be forced to evacuate Albu Kamal.
This propaganda was fruitful in that it had the effect of
inciting numerous sections of the Aqaidat to hostile activity
against us. The following sections were definitely implicated
in raids on transport convoys and attacks on isolated garrisons
during the disturbances on the Upper Euphrates in the spring
and early summer of 1920 :—
Hassun, Shaitat, Dimim, Albu Qa’an, Albu Miri’, Hardan
and Mushahidah.
When they came into contact with our troops they
occasionally displayed considerable bravery and fighting ability.
1 hey, however, chiefly confined their efforts to attacks on
marching convoys on our lines of communication and whenever
possible avoided any chance of meeting troops in any strength.
After punitive measures both by columns and from the air
had been taken against the Aqaidat, Shaikhs of all the above
sections, with the exception of the Shaitat, came into Albu
Kamal on 21st March, 1921, and accepted our terms. Fines
were imposed on these sections, which were paid up in full by
5th April of that year. The Shaitat have never made sub
mission, as after the new frontier line had been fixed the Aqaidat
were no longer in our area of occupation.
, S worth y °f note that throughout the disturbances
Shaikh Turki Beg ibn Nijris, chief of the Thulth section of
the Aqaidat, maintained a consistently friendly attitude
towards us, and made every endeavour to bring the hostile
sections to terms with the Government.
8 . For reasons already explained the extent of internal
cohesion in the Aqaidat is relatively poor ; the sections and
even the villages act on their own, and any other members of
t io tribe within reach will join in if the opportunity for
obtaining loot is favourable. Any concerted action amongst
all the sections of the tribe is unlikely, and practically
impossible.
previously explained the Shaitat are despised by all
the Badawin tribes in their vicinity. They are at enmity
with the bhammar, Dulaim and Anizah, but they appear able
to take care of themselves.