File 3300/1916 Pt 4 'Aden News-Letters. (1921-23)' [‎321v] (642/644)

Saafan Yusuf Hassan, who is in the Idnsi employ at Bajil, is reported to be an
agent of Mahmud Nadhim, and co-operates with Jamil Bey resident at Marawa.
Idle latter lives next to Saiyid Abdul Kadir, the Mansab of Marawa, and his duty
i. lo ,n - « the Saved,^ »ho ie the 1 jj. » Jf Mg.
Khalil Bey, who also
being to travel be twee
collect ing int illigence.
Arif Kharsa and Mirjan Harazi. i . y u a ^
Our agent at Zabeed reports that the construction ot barracks at Zabeed had
commenced as also the installation of a telegraph line between Zabeed and Hais
The agent also reports that Hamood Abdulrab and Hameed bin Ali, the notables
of Hais 'arrived at Zabeed with 500 armed men to submit their tenders for the
revenues of Zabeed, Hais, &c. The Amil of Zabeed, however, refused permission
for the armed men to enter the town and the party returned without submitting
tenders after two days’ stay outside the town
The Idrisi troops are reported to have advanced on Beit-el r akin, lins report
is confirmed by Captain Fazluddin. xt v>
Our Sana agent reports that, in compliance with the ex-Vali s request, the
Imam has despatched an additional force of 500 men to Menakha. the agent also
reports the despatch of 800 Zeidis to Reima via Bilad Anis and of 240 regulars with
2 guns, 1 machine gun, and 28 mules laden with ammunition, to Zabeed.
The ao’ent further reports that the tribes of Beni Matar and Beni Hamadan,
who were asked by the Imam to supply 2,000 men each, have expressed their j
willingness to do so provided arrangements as regards their rations and supply of
ammunition are made to their satisfaction. Almost all the fighting men of the
tribe of Arhab and of the tribes in the vicinity of Sana are said to have enlisted
themselves. The agent says that the number of armed men in Sana at present is
about 5,000.
Yemen (Upper and Lower).
A report states that Ibb is now quiet as the result of orders received from the
Imam directing the Zeidis to cease all interference with the inhabitants.
Nakib Mahomed Husen As-Sufi, headman of Khaulan, who has written
^expressing his desire to, befriend the British Government, states that Tbn Sand went
/against Waila, Yarn and Bilad Asir, but that he was repulsed, and that a large
/ booty fell into the hands of the local inhabitants.
Aden Protectorate.
It is stated that the Imam’s orders to Sayed Yahiya, the commander at Dhala.
are that he should not go beyond Dhala, but that the Sayed has been interfering with
tribes outside Dhala on his own responsibility.
Some Zeidi tax-collectors have undoubtedly advanced far into the Aden
Protectorate, and I am unable to believe the report that their operations are directed
by Sayed Yahiya contrary to the wishes of the Imam.
I have received numerous reports that unless the Koteibi Sheijdi, Mahomed
Saleh al Akram, makes his submission to the commander at Dhala, his country will
be attacked. This rumour is probably given out by the Zeidis themselves, who have
so far failed to induce Sheikh Mahomed Saleh to visit Dhala to make his submission.
A party of Zeidis is said to have been despatched to the Haushabi territory
to collect tithes, which the Haushabi Sultan has promised to pay. I await
confirmation of this report.
From reports received lately it appears that lawlessness is increasing in the
Subehi country. In my last letter I referred to a raid made by the Mansuris and
Makhdnmis on the Somati section. It is now reported that the latter section have
stealthily burnt the Makhdumi crops. Skirmishes are also reported between two
other sections of the Subehis—the Masfari and Attawi—but the cause of this
fighting is not known.
A long-standing dispute is said to exist between the Jorabis (Subehis) and the
Humedis (a section of the Subehis outside our protectorate). Some six months ago
a truce was arranged between them by the Abdali Sultan. This truce has expired
and the Jorabis have attacked the Humedis and carried away their cattle, sheep an
goats.