File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎107v] (223/834)

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[Late News .—On February 18 a party of Bedouins who
were advancing against the line between Abu Naam and Stabl
Antar were attacked by enemy Camel Corps under the direction
of Fakhreddin and Ibn Rashid. It is believed that both sides
suffered severe casualties, but the Arabs, who were outnumbered,
fought well and the enemy eventually retired.
Fakhreddin is now reported to have returned to Medina
taking Ibn Rashid with him.]
NOTES.
Idrisis Campaign.
Idrisi’s troops have been in occupation of Loheiyah^and
Atari since February 18. Said Mustafa reports that the enemy
retired leaving four killed, including an officer, and about twenty
prisoners. More of the local tribes have joined Idrisi.
The total enemy forces on this front recently consisted of
about 2,000 Turks (most of them being in the Beni Abs country)
and 2,000 to 3,000 Arabs. They held a line stretching from
Loheiyah to Kufl, in the Hajur country, some fifty miles inland.
The eastern part of the line was held by Arabs only.
Major Reilly reports that the following sheikhs from Idrisi’s
army met him off Loheiyah on January 15 : —
1 . Nasir Mabkhut. In local command before A tan, with
headquarters at Gauda (three or four miles north of Atan and
four miles inland from Marabiyah, the landing-place). Had with
him 800 Rashid and Bekil and 600 local Arabs of the Beni Jama
and Beni Mar wan. Described by Major Reilly as somewhat
enfeebled, but a fine-looking old man who dominates the other
sheikhs. Expressed his desire to get into touch with the British
authorities at Aden.
2 . Yayha ibn Yahya esh-Shaif. Produced a letter pur
porting to come from the Imam, offering him a large sum of
money if he would compass the death of Idrisi; this seems to
dispose of the report mentioned on page 37 .
3. Nagi ibn Ahmed esh-Shaif, nephew of ( 2 ). Wounded
in the subsequent fighting.
4. Masud el-Barak {see Bulletin 61, p. 365).
5. Ahmed ibn Yayha Fara of the Dim Fara Rashid {see
Bulletin 49, p. 197).
6 . Sherif Laid ibn Mohammed ibn Ashraf el-Jauf. Not
known.
7- Abdullah Suleiman Habash, of the Beni Jama.
8 . Mohammed ibn Ahmed, sheikh of Habl.
The commander of Idrisi’s main coastal army was Sherif
Hassan abu Mismar ( ? of the Beni Shihir et-Tihama). This
man impressed the British officers who met him on shore
unfavourably, and his casual manner was in marked contrast
with the courtesy of Nasir Mabkhut.
At Medi Major Reilly interviewed Idrisi, who stated that
his total forces in the field numbered about 16,000, of whom half