"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٣‎١‎٨] (٥٤٢/٣٢٧)

f
318
LAND ROUTES
Miles from
Basra
89
105?
Shabdeli wells lie about 12 m. roughly SE. from Legatteh. It is
reported that from either Legatteh or Shabasjiyeh the going is
excellent for motors. The desert round Shabdeh has some sparse
brushwood, which would present no obstacle to motors. At
Shabdeh are several large wells containing good water. One of
these taps an excellent spring, and is apparently inexhaustible.
It is about 28 ft. deep.
In October 1916 Shabdeh was found to be occupied by the nomad
section of the Harb tribe from the Hejaz.
Hamidiyeh. There is nothing special to mark the camp
at Hamidiyeh, except that during the summer there is an
Arab encampment on high ground 1,200 yds. from the
Mior. Troops marching through at this season should
camp nearer the water. Water from the slightly
brackish inshore, but sweet about 200 yds. out. Grazing
for camels only. Brushwood for fuel in small quan
tities.
From here to Khamislyeh general direction is given as NW.
in Report, from Survey Map no. 43 it would appear to be
only a little N. of W. Road passable for Fiat lorries and
AT. carts except in flooded areas (see below). Pasture
land and gardens near Khamlslyeh. Pass Tel Ibareh
fort 2^ m. E. of Khamlslyeh.
Khamisiyeli. (The distance here given from Hamidiyeh
(16 m.) may be as much as 4 m. too long.)
The country N., E. and S., of Khamlslyeh is flooded 'after
heavy rains' (so Report: Survey Map no. 43 has ' from
April to September') to a depth of about 6 in. Troops
should then camp near Tel Ibareh fort (see above). When
there is no flood troops could camp close to Khamlslyeh.
Water from flood (or wells at village ?). The flood water
is very dirty, but quite sweet. No fuel or fodder. Very
little in the way of supplies.
The village consists of about 200 houses, mostly reed-built,
with a mosque and bazaar. The approaches to it are
the creek leading to Suq esh-Shuyukh (see below) and
a gate leading to the desert. The Basra—Naslriyeh
railway passes by Khamlslyeh.
From Khamislyeh. to Suq, esh-Shuyukh.
Distance by land 10-11 m. (Iround low and marshy and much cut
up by water-channels.
An authority who went from Khamisiyeh to Siiq esh-Shuyukh in
Jan. 1910 by water says that the only means of communication
between the two places (unless a wide detour is made) is a narrow