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'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)' [70r] (139/206)
The record is made up of 1 file (101 folios). It was created in 12 Feb 1919-10 Apr 1920. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
r
I
From Civil Commissioner, Baghdad, 12th May 1919.
(Repeated Simla, Teheran, Cairo, Constantinople. Copies to Alleppo and to
Ge n era l, Bagh dad .)
(Received 13th, 2.20 a.ra.)
5353. I submit following comment on Constantinople telegram of 1st May and
preceding correspondence :—1 have not had time since my return on 7th May to
examine Kurdish situation as closely as I could wish to, but, after studying Major
Noel’s reports, and after a protracted discussion with Sheikh Taha (aide m/ T separate
telegram), I endorse the views expressed by the High Commissioner, Constantinople.
Abdul Qadir has been so long away from Kurdistan and is on such bad terms with
Sheikh Taha, that he will be of no use to us, I fear, unless he is prepared to restrict
his activities to Kurdish areas west of longitude 42. Long residence in Constanti
nople is a bad training for active work in Kurdistan, and it may be best to keep him
in Constantinople and use him there. The Badr Khan family might be of immediate
use on the spot. I suggest the brothers should be sent from Constantinople to meet
Major Noel at Aleppo where they may be joined by Suraya from Egypt and proceed
with Major Noel on a mission to Western Kurdistan, if our relations with France and
progress of the peace negotiations so permit.
1 recommend that we should adopt the third course proposed in Constantinople
telegram of 1st May, and give full assurances re amnesty and freedom from Armenian
domination in areas predominantly Kurdish so far as w-urkingT?! Aiuitolmtr Rmlwajg 1
without, however, committing ourselves to acceptance of a mandate for Kurdish**^
areas bejmnd the Mosul Vilayet till we see how affairs are moving.
To give effect to this policy it is necessary that Kurdish questions should be
dealt with from a single centre as far as possible, and I therefore recommend that
1 be authorised to deal with the matter on behalf of His Majesty's Government in all
areas east of the Euphrates, through Major Noel, keeping Egypt Force and
Constantinople fully informed. I should make it my business to prevent this policy
from drawing His Majesty’s Government into any military commitments beyond our
present sphere, and would make it clear to all concerned that the mission in question
was not intended to commit His Majesty’s Government to more than the maintenance
of order in this area in co-operation with the Turkish authorities on the spot, pending
result of the Peace Conference.
About this item
- Content
The file consists primarily of correspondence and telegrams between the War Office and the General Officer Commanding Mesopotamia regarding the conflict and attacks taking place in Kurdistan. The file includes the following related subjects: the creation of the Kurdish National committee and the Kurdish movement; the massacre of Christians in Kurdistan; the reactions of anti-British, anti-foreign and anti-Christian subjects; the various disturbances in Zakho, Amadia [Al ‘Amādīyah], Sulaimaniyeh [Sulaymaniyah], and Kerkouk [Kirkuk]; the British response to the Kurdish movement, with discussion of punitive action and strategic operations; British prisoners, and casualties and deaths among British soldiers; the repatriation of Christians; the armistice frontier in the southern boundaries of the British forces' area in Persia.
Principal correspondents are the War Office; General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; GHQ Egypt [General Headquarters Egypt]; GHQ Constantinople [General Headquarters Constantinople]; C in C India [Commander in Chief India]; Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. Baghdad; Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.
- Extent and format
- 1 file (101 folios)
- Arrangement
The file's contents are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 103; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present between ff 3-102.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)' [70r] (139/206), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/MIL/5/798, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100093314956.0x00008c> [accessed 9 August 2026]
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/MIL/5/798
- Title
- 'Unrest in Northern Mesopotamia (Kurds)'
- Pages
- front, front-i, 2r:102v, back, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence