File 3300/1916 Pt 2 'Aden News Letters:- (Jan. 1917-Dec. 1917)' [‎150v] (300/620)

exists in every place in Yemen; even in Aden. It is don1)tful r however^ if all his
followers will join him. About ten days ago a meeting of his (religious) followers
took place at the mosque of Taiz and they decided to break off relations with him
as he had joined the Zaidis against the government of the country.
Elias Bey with the people of Ibb, Udain, Dhu Safal, Gaadan and about 300
to 400 “ Millah ” Arab troops are opposing Abu Harb and Kayid bin Rageh, while
Husain Effendi who was at Lahej and left Lahej on I7th Shawal (about 25 days
ago) with 150 Turks and 7 guns (including 2 machine guns) with the followers of
Shaikhs Muhammad Nasir (including the contingents sent by the Ameer of Dhalla,
Kotaibis and Shears and others) and the followers of Ibn Ahmed Noman and
of Saiyid Ahmed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. (of Taiz and the surrounding country) are opposing Saiyid
Muhammad Husan and Yahvabin Yahya A1 Shayef. It is not known if there are
any Turkish troops with Elias Bey and if more Turkish troops (besides those who
accompanied him from Lahej) have joined Husain Effendi.
So far no fighting of importance has taken place between the Turks and the
Zaidis. The latter are holding some strong positions on the above-mentioned
mountains and the Turks are trying to drive them and occupy these positions.
The Zaidis are armed with “ Fransawi ” (French) rifles as they are called in Yemen
and are not supported bv artillery. On Tuesday last a telegram was received by
Saeed Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. at Lahej from Husan Effendi in which he says that he attacked on
that day Saiyid Muhammad Has^ih and Yahia bin Y ahia A1 Shayef s men and cap
tured a part of Jebal Meerah and that 5 Turks, 2 Arabs and 1 Somali of his men
were killed.
The Zaidis are without a well-known leader like the “ Imam ” and are there
fore not united. It is considered by well-informed persons to be improbable that
they can do anything of importance besides giving trouble to the Turks and keeping
them occupied for some time. They will not be able to defeat the Turks and Shahs
and over-run the country on that side unless the unexpected happens as if they
are joined by all the Zaidis and make common cause with the Shahs and are com
manded by an inhuential leader having some authority and inhuence in Yemen
and able to keep them supplied with ammunition, arms and money., As this rising
has not been sanctioned by a religious head like the Imam and not being
a “ Jehad ” like former risings or a war for religious purposes all the Zaidis have
not taken part in it.
With the exception of Saiyid Muhammad Hasan’s followers all the Arab
Shahs are on the side of the Turks.
No. C-605, dated Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. the 7th (received 20th) September 1917.
pliments, to the/Secretary to the Government of
nla. *
0. M. Press, Simla.—No. C.368 F.D.—22-9-17—16—M.B.