File 3300/1916 Pt 2 'Aden News Letters:- (Jan. 1917-Dec. 1917)' [‎167v] (334/620)

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murder and told them that any trouble with the Turks now will have far-reaching
consequences or complications, but the Shaikhs told him that they would not accept
any money and that nothing would satisfy them until Muhammad Nasir Makbil
and the Turks who took part in this outrage were beheaded, and as Abu Ras’ head
was hung by Muhammad Nasir Makbil at the gate of Mawiah for three days, and as
hundreds of their tribesmen have been killed and wounded by Muhammad Nasir
Makbil and his supporters in recent fighting, it would be a lasting disgrace and
shame affecting the whole tribe if revenge is not taken in the best possible way.
It is said that the Imam has found these Shaikhs somewhat too excitR to listen
to any words about settlement, and that he had to tell them that any**action for
retaliation should be confined to Muhammad Nasir Makbil, and that in any trouble
with the Turks or other serious complications, he may be compelled to interfere,
that the Turks allege that Abu Ras just before he was murdered, attempted to kill
a Turkish official of Taiz, and-that he is still taking steps to exact adequate compen
sation conformably to Muhammadan law.
It is also said that the Imam has consulted the Zaidi Chief about despatching *
a force of Zaidis to the Hedjaz to support Ibn Rashid against the Shariff of Mecca,
and that he has already decided to make preparations for the purpose. I hear
that Ibn Rashid is marching against the Shariff of Mecca. There are two routes
I understand by which these Zaidis can join Ibn Rashid, one starts from Sana and
is the direct route to the Hedjaz. It is called the Hedjaz route, and it is one followed
by the annual Yemeni Mahmal carrying clothing for the Kaaba at Mecca. The other
route^from Saada or Sana to Abha the seat of the Turkish Government in Asir,
and from there to the Hedjaz and this is called the Tehama route. There is a third
route but this lies mostly through or near Edrissi territory, and one has to pass by
Konfudah or any of the neighbouring places, and has to go through several places
on the coast till Leith is reached. This is called the coast route and is the shortest
one.
It is rumoured that the Shaikhs of Ebb have revolted against the Turks and
Imam, on account of taxes, etc., demanded from them but this rumour lac One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees |cs con
firmation. The revolt of the people of Ebb is not regarded as serious unless the
EdrisJ or some other chief gives the material support in men and arms.
Shortly after the meeting with the Imam, some 4,000 men of the Dhu
Muhammad and Dhu Hussain tribes are reported to have marched to A1 Akhdoor
A/r^^oined forces with Kaeed Bin Hussan, Abu Ras’successor, and advanced on
Muhammad Nasir Makbil and his supporters, and engaged them near Gabal A1
Kadama. A sharp engagement is reported to have taken place between them, in
which hundreds have been killed and wounded on both sides. The Zaidis are said
to have had the upper hand, and fighting is reported to be going on.
A rumour reaches me-that another 2,000 men. of the Dhu Hussain tribe are
about to advance from their country on Mawiah via Ba’dan.
A report has reached me that the Turks at Taiz have asked Shaikh Muhammad
ussan who rules Gabal Habashi to pay $40,000 as arrears of taxes and a war con-
tn ution. e is reported to have refused to comply with their request and there
upon t le lurks sent a detachment of troops to make a sort of a demonstration.
.)n approaching Crabal Habashi, the men of Shaikh Muhammad Hussan are said to
have fired on the Turks from the mountain killing about 40 of the Turks. Gabal
Habashi hes some hours distance from Taiz, and the Turkish troops are said to be
waiting for orders. 1 his again is not very serious unless backed from outside.
News which came here last week by the last ship from Mokalla shows that
Saiyid Hussain A1 Mihdar, the Wazirof the Sultan of Mokalla, has returned from
Shibam to Mokalla with a few men from the Ahl Katheer. The Sultan’s troops
are reported to be still at Shibam and A1 Kutn, but no fighting has taken place.
If the Sultan will stop all goods going from Shehr and Mokalla to the Ahl Katheer
country, it will have a good effect as the Ahl Katheer seem to have no other outlet
to the sea now. Cowasjee s steamer will be back here in two or three days, and will
bring fuller details. * y
A report received this morning from the Yemen states that several thousands
of the Imam s men under the command of Abu Naib are marching' towards Mawiah.
Their objective is not know but it is rumoured that they will watch developments
in these parts. . *