File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎349r] (706/834)

Early in June 1916, however, H.M.S. “ Northbrook ” left
Aden for Jeizan. Pressure was brought to bear on the Idrisi
with a view to persuading him to take action which should
synchronize with the expected revolt of the Sherif and facilitate
the task of the latter. Commander L. N. Turton, R.N, Captain
Reilly, and Lieutenant L. F. Nalder, R.N.V.R., had interviews
with the Idrisi on June 10 and 11, in which, after his scepticism
as to the Sherd’s declaring himself openly against the Turks had
once been overcome, he showed every readiness to co-operate
wholeheartedly with the former.
The results of this interview were given in a telegram sent
from. Aden m June, wherein it was stated that Commander
Turton had received from the Idrisi a letter in which the latter
agreed to undertake immediate offensive operations, and his
first move would be on Qunfudah, Hah, and Ebhah.
During the period immediately subsequent to this, the
Idrisi appears to have received no hint of discouragement or
disapproval with regard to his choice of objective. The only
fault found with him was his slowness in moving, which he
justified by pointing out the difficulties of communication, and
by explaining that he wished to make quite sure of the co
operation of the Arabs near Hali before moving on Qunfudah.
On account, partly of the urgency of making a demonstration
which should assist the Sherif, and partly on account of difficulties
in communication between the ships and the shore, and the
normal Arab vagueness as to dates and places, the Idrisi was
not given the time he desired for negotiations in the Hali district.
On July 18, Qunfudah was bombarded by H.M. ships, while the
Idrisi was yet in no position to assist in the attack, or to garrison
the town if taken. The Turkish garrison surrendered, and the
Idrisi flag was hoisted by the British. After a few days further
delay an Idrisi garrison was placed in the town.
The next stage in the proceedings is best given in the words
of a report by Lieutenant Nalder : - .
“ At the end of July reports were received that oheikh
Mohammed Nasir was advancing on Qunfudah from Lith with
Sherifial troops at the instigation of certain sheikhs of the district.
These sheikhs were, the Idrisi alleges, those whose sons had been
detained at Sabia (the Idrisi s capital) on account of Turkish
intrigue. AVe know that the Sherif was corresponding with the
Idrisi with reference to these hostages at the beginning of the
rising.’’
These hostages had been kept since 1911 by the Idrisi, who
at that time controlled the Qunfudah district and was besieging
Ebhah. A force consisting of Turkish troops with Arab irregulars,
under the command of two of the Sherif’s sons, marched down