File 3300/1916 Pt 3 'Aden News-Letters: 1919-20' [‎333v] (22/633)

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arrival of the Italian at Khoka, who, he says, will reside there. Signor Pardo infom a
the Political Officer, Hodeida, that the Sheikh of Jebel Reima and Quzi Hamoodal
Harazi referred to in the last letter have gone from Massowah to Asmara to intended
the Italian Governor there.
According to later reports from H<>deida, the Zeidis re-attacked the fort '
“ Al-Hadi ” on the 15th November. After a struggle lasting for five hours, they w-^
forced to retire leaving thirty men killed and five wounded. Heavy fighting is also
reported in Jebel Reima, where the Idrisi appears to have concentrated a large force
The strength of the Imam’s force in Jebel Reima is said to be 3,000.
One of the Idrisi officials is said to have stated that unless the Hodeida merchants
cease taking part in the Hodeida administration and stop their intrigues with Saiyids
and recognise the Idrisi as their only ruler after the evacuation of Hodeida by the
British, the Quhras and Aboos will be obliged to make a raid on Hodeida.
In a later report the Sana agent of the Political Officer, Hodeida, states that
owing to the approach of Ibn Saud’s armv to his borders at Shahara, Abu Naib has
been obliged to make peace with the Imam and to release the Imamic mission detained
by him. He has, however, obtained concessions whereby the Imam removed customs
houses from his territories and stopped the practice of drinking, singing and other acts
which are contrary to the Sheria, and which the Turks had introduced.
This report contradicts the former report that Abu Naib was co-operating with
Ibn Saud and is, I think, the more worthy of credence.
The Zeidi tribesmen are reported to have complied with the Imam’s latest request
for 5,000 fighting men on condition that they serve under their own leaders, and are
permitted to return home after the conclusion of the particular campaign for which
their services are required. This force is expected to advance on the Tihama on the
10 th December.
The ex-Yali is reported to have informed the Imam that he has failed in his
anti-Idrisi campaign, and that the only possible remedy now left is to despatch a laro-e
force to the Tihama.
These reports, combined with a report received from H.M.S. “Clematis” that
the Idrisi and Saved Mustafa were busy mustering troops during his recent visit
to Midi, lead me to anticipate heavy fighting between the Idrisi and the Imam in the
near future.
Yemen (Upper and Lower).
A Haushabi Akil lately reported to the officer commanding troops at Nobat Dakim
that the Amil of Taiz, Saiyid Abdullah-al- Wazir Minister. , had arrived at Ibb on the 5th
November with 2 guns, 2 machine guns, 7 camel loads of ammunition, 50 horses,.
40 mules, 150 donkeys, and a large body of soldiers. The Akil also reported that the
Haushabi Sultan had received a letter on receipt of which the latter collected 200 men
and proceeded to Ad Dareja. The Akil states that the real intention of the Haushabi
^as to meet the Zeidis either at Ad Dareja or Mawia, though he gave out that he was
going to the Amiri country.
The real object of Saiyid Abdulla-al-Wazir’s visit to Ibb appears to be to disarm
the populace, who are in possession of a very large number of rifles and a large
quantity of ammunition, which they received from the Turks during the war and
prior to the e\acuation of Turkish troops. No news confirming the Haushabi’s visit
to the Zeidis has been received. The Haushabi Sultan, who is one of our protectorate
chiefs, has hitherto refused to comply with the Zeidi Amil’s frequent invitations to
visit Mawia.
An informant from Sana states that Ibn Saud’s forces are at Sada and are armed
| with luikish and German rifles, and that Ibn Saud has recently come in possession of
F twenty-five Turkish field guns, which he captured from Ibn Aidh of Ebha. This news
appears to be mere town gossip, although our Sana correspondent confirms the report
of the presence of Ibn ^aud s troops near Shahara, and adds that the Imamic troops
directed to march against them refused to fight.
The same informant states that Saiyid ^Abdullah Ibrahim referred to in previous
letters has gone to Zabeed from Taiz with 2 00 men to fight the Idrisi. This infor-
mant confirms the report of the arrival of Saiyid Abdullah-al- Wazir Minister. at Ibb with
men, guns, &c., and states that he has dismissed all the old clerks who have been
serving continuously from the time of the Turks, and has sent them to Sana.
The same informant also states that the Imam has deputed Mahmud Nadhim to
arrange peace with the Idrisi.
The people of Ibb and Baadan are reported to have assumed a threatenur#