'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎206r] (416/470)

Qarat Sikar Administration Report, 1918.
1. Introductory. —The administration of this district commenced in June
of this year, when I was appointed A.P.O., Gharraf, with headquarters at Qal‘at
Sikar. I remained at Qahat Sikar about eight days only, when the situation in
Shatrah became acute and I was compelled to transfer my attentions there. During
my short stay at Qakat Sikar, I was visited by all the Shaikhs and pretenders of the
district, but had not sufficient time to gain that intimate knowledge which is so
necessary to good administration.
While in Shatrah I saw very few of the Qakat Sikar people, and the result was
that, when Captain My lies, M.C., took over charge of the district towards the end of
July, I was able to give him very little assistance indeed. He had to work out his
own salvation.
On the 27th November, Captain Mylles was transferred, and once more QaFat
Sikar district has come temporarily under my care. My knowledge of the district
is, therefore, very limited, and allowance must be made should this administration
report appear sketchy.
2. Political and Tribal : (a) General .—In Turkish times, Qahat Sikar was
a nahiyah, not a qadha, and it speaks extraordinarily well for the tribes that they
were always more under control with a Mudir at their head than were the tribes of
Shatrah who boasted of a Qaimmaqam and a garrison.
Of late years the one outstanding personality on the Gharraf was Yusuf al
Khairullah. He was to all intents and purposes Shaikh of the whole of the
Gharraf—not merely Al Humaid. Nor was his position due entirely to his ability
as a soldier. He was a warrior and a great one, but he was also a good administrator.
To his strength of character alone is due the comparatively settled state of the
Gharraf. Yusuf al Khairullah made his surrender to Government shortly before
his death. By his untimely end, the British Administration lost a very valuable
man. Of his murder, more will be mentioned later.
Attached hereto as “Appendix A.” is a map of the Gharraf showing tribal
boundaries; attached also, as Appendix B., is a list of all tribes in this district.
Of the general situation little need be said. The tribes are well organised, and
on the whole very well behaved.
(b) Al Humaid .—Head Shaikh, Mohan al Khairullah.
General. —x4I Humaid, who occupy the left bank of the Ghairaf, are kept veil
in order by Mohan, who has to a very great extent inherited his father’s character.
The wonderful respect which the Gharraf had for Yusuf al Khairullah has made it
possible for his son Mohan to step in as head shaikh without any opposition whatso
ever. Mohan is an exceptionally capable young man, and is managing the affairs
of Al Humaid admirably. One or two attempts were at first made by his uncles to
get the power into their own hands, but the attempts ceased as soon as it became
evident to all that Mohan was the man chosen by Government.
Al Khuwailid .—This section of the Al Humaid still remain outlawed. They
were responsible for the murder of Yusuf al Khairullah, which was committed in a
most cunnincr manner. One night Yusuf was sitting out in the open with a gathering
of his own shaikhs when a runner brought him a letter. The matter appeared to be
one of urgency, so a lamp was called for. This was brought and Yusuf bent down
to read the letter. While he was reading, three shots rang out and each found its
billet. Enquiries proved without doubt that Haji Bizi al Harchan, Rais of the
Khuwailid, was responsible. Al Shuwailat (Yusuf’s own tribe) rose, and Al
Khuwailid , fled to Khaiyun al TJbaid for protection. Mohan wrote to Khaiyun
threatening to attack the ‘Abudah unless Haji Bizi was given up. Khaiyun refused
to give him up, and preparations were being made for a battle when Khaiyun received
an°order from Major Dickson to banish Al Khuwailid from the ‘Abudah territory.
Khaiyun immediately complied with his order, and Al Khuwailid remain outlawed
to this day. I have attempted at different times to persuade Mohan to accept
fash This he refuses to do. He would take no revenge if Khuwailid returned to
their lands unless he were given permission; but he will not lower himself, as he
puts it, to accept fash.