'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎62v] (129/470)

Saiyid ‘Alwan al Saiyid ‘Abbas,—k.»e about 34. A well-read man of very charming manner. Has
considerable land between al Fatlah and al Ibrahim on the left bank of the Mishkhab. Is a good culti
vator. Related to Saiyid Nur Q.V. He was for a short time a representative for the Shamiyah in the
wilayat council under the Ottoman Government. He conceals beneath his charm, guile and craftiness.
For the Arab, a good brain with a very considerable influence. Probably in a quiet way the most
influential man in Shamiyah. Saiyid Nur voices his thoughts. Not to be trusted, as his activities
should be carefully watched.
Mujbil al Fara‘un. —Head of the Fatlah tribe in the Mishkhab on the right bank of the river. He
succeeded his brother Mubdir, who died in September 1918. Mizhir Q.V. is the elder brother, but his
mental incapacity makes him unsuitable for the position. Mubdir was one of the best known men on
the Euphrates, was frequently employed by the Turks as an unofficial intelligence officer, and for a
short time represented the Shamiyah on the wilayat council. He was very useful to us immediately
after the occupation. A fairly honest and not too intelligent personality, who is played upon by the
astliter ‘Abdul Wahid.
Mizhir al Fara‘un. —Elder brother of Mujbil. Cultivates on the right bank of the Mishkhab below
the Shatt al Dubainiyah. Age about 40. 'A nonentity, being a half wit.
‘Ibadi al Husain. —Rais of the branch of the Fatlah settled on the Shamiyah Channel and owner
of the prosperous village of Muhannawiyah. Extremely wealthy and a man of peace. A good
cultivator, given to flattery, but loyal.
‘‘Abdul Sadah. —•Brother of above. Quiet, but fairly sound character and a good cultivator.
i Abdul Wahid al Haji Sikah. —Son of the original paramount chief of the Fatlah, Haji Sikar, who
was famous as one of the most powerful and probably the richest shaikh on the Euphrates. Cultivates
a large area on the left bank of the Mishkhab from Abu Sukhair to the Ibrahim. Very able and more
far-seeing than the average. Difficult type to analyse. Emphatically the most powerful of the Fatlah
and, next to Saiyid ‘Alwan, probably the greatest influence in Mishkhab. A man of strong personahty,
but at first sight appears weak and uninteresting. Should be always carefully watched, but when he
gets used to the new regime, should be of considerable use to Government.
Muhammad al ‘Abtan, Khaza‘il. —A man of considerable local influence, which was enhanced by
a grant of Rs. 1,000/— p. m. from Government before we effectively occupied the country for protection
of routes in his tract. The Shibil Shaikhs also used to turn to him. They probably will not in future.
Age about 40. Lives at Abu Tibn. He and his brother Salman have had to pay up in the Diwaniyah
fasl case, and their influence has suffered accordingly. A bad egg, who is definitely anti-English. Not
a bad brain, which he uses only for his own purposes. Imprisoned 23rd December 1918 for general
disobedience. The most powerful shaikh in Shamiyah.
Salman al ‘Abtan. —Brother of above. He also used to draw an allowance of Rs. 1 ; 000 /- p. m.
from Government, which has been discontinued; a rascal, his outlook on life is that of a naughty
schoolboy. Not to be trusted anywhere out of sight. Imprisoned with the former. A great liar, but
a very weak character.
Salman al Dhahir. —The paramount shaikh of the Khaza‘il, but old and worn, and therefore does
not take much interest in holding together the Khazadl.
His fasl with Muhammad al ‘Abtan is now finished. Noted chiefly for his sense of justice and his
honesty.
Sha lan al Jabar. Of Al Ibrahim. Under the thumb of Saiyid ‘Alwan. Undisciphned and
unimportant.
Khadim al Mallakh. Does not appear much in public, but when he does, makes a good impression.
The son of the late paramount shaikh, and one to whom, in consequence, consideration should be
shown; strong enmity between him and Ali al Miz‘al, the present Shaikh.
Jabbar Abu Hulail. A flabby individual, who ran away after imprisonment of the ‘Abtans. Is
run by his son Madfun.
Madfun. A bad egg; very erratic disposition, who has run away with is father, it is not known
where. Hated by his tribesmen. Definitely anti-English, and a good riddance.
'Abid al Saiyid, Shaikh of the Cha'ab. —Took to himself the title of Saiyid about three years ago,
to which, it is said, he has no claim whatever. A lazy, slippery, slimy and thoroughlv revolting
personality.
Haji Jawad al Masir. Rais of the Kurd and owner of the village of ‘Aqar. A fine cultivator.
In character easily swayed, but at heart not a bad fellow. He and his brother Khadim and Marzuq
al Awwad were deported to Baghdad in April for suspected complicity in the Najaf riots. Haji
Jawwad and Marzuq were returned later. The effect upon them was most salutary.
Marzuq al Awwad. Rais of the ‘Awabid. See above. A good cultivator, with a strong hold
over his tribe Untrustworthy. For long he held the balance between the Fatlah and the Bani
Hasan, the tribe who secured his services being certain to win.
Alwan al Haji Sa dun. Of the Bait ‘Abbas, the Bani Hasan shaikhly house. He controls the
section of the Bam Hasan south of Kifl-those north, follow his elder brother, ‘Umran Q.V., who is a
honester man than Alwan, though not so able. In the days of no-Government, before we occupied
the Euphrates towns m August 1917, he controlled affairs at Kufah, more or less, but was unable to
deal effectively with the more unruly section of his tribe. With strong Government support he has
done better; his intentions have always been good, but he is not a strong man, and while he will give an
honest and unbiassed opinion on tribal affairs if he knows that he will not be quoted, he willl shut up
hke an oyster if he thinks that Ins view mil be passed on to this own people. It is very probable that,
m view of his position vis-a-vis to Laftah Shamkhi, who has no use for him at all, and is more powerful,
p I 1 8 the 1 ^ S he can do ‘ He is v <1 ' keen and intelligent agriculturist. He has been quoted by the German
Rohtical Service as incorruptible. Is very much a gentleman to deal with. He lives near Kifl. His