"كتيّب الجزيرة العربية. مجلد II. ١٩١٧" [‎٥‎٤] (٥٤٢/٥٨)

54
COMMUNICATIONS
Sha'r till the Wadi Tayyah is reached. The Turks have improved
the old road down the pass, and rendered it practicable for heavy
loads. Ordinary travellers prefer the route from Muha'il via
Sheibein, which is given as Route No. 46 ; though closed to the Turks
for several years, this route is much used by caravans. Route
No. 47, fromlbha to Wahlah, is the merchant or ordinary route from
Ibha to the district of Mikhlaf el-Yemen, although much longer
than the Darb Beni Shi'bah (Route No. 40). It is the most important
trade route from southern inland Asir to the coast and runs down
the Wadi Rim, which lies about half way between Wasm and
Shuqaiq (see Route No. 53). It taps the fertile Rijal el-M'a country,
and links up with all the main roads of the interior ; supplies and
water are plentiful.
The routes radiating from Muha'il (Nos. 48-52), with the exception
of that to Tanumah (Route No. 48), lead to points on the coast, here
taken in order from N. to S. Routes Nos. 49 and 50 are alternative
tracks from Muha'il to Qunfudah, the one known as the Tariq es-
Sultani or the Sikkat el-Barak, the other as the Sikkat el-Helawiyah.
Route No. 51, from Muha'il to Hali Point, which is known as the
Sikkat esh-Sheraf, has not been used for years by the Turks; mer
chants and travellers pass along it, but it is infested by robber bands
in Wadi Dofa'. R,oute No. 52 runs from Muha'il to Birk, a fair-sized
village on the Tihamah-road between Hali Point and Wasm.
Of the two remaining tracks described in this section Route No. 53,
the coast-road of Asir, is the main maritime route from Lith to
Wadi 'Ain and Loheia. In its first stages it passes through the
dangerous zone of the Dhawi Hasan and Dhawi Barakat clans,
and although both water and supplies are to be found in their
villages, caravans have perforce to be self-sufficing. Further on
the inhabitants are more hospitable, and the country is richer, and
when the district of Mikhlaf el-Yemen, which is directly adminis
tered by the Idrlsi, is entered, travelling becomes an easy matter.
Lhe road keeps close to the coast from Lith to Umm el-Khishib
(or Khashab) and then turns inland. It lies over sand, and is
suitable for camels only ; the going is very heavy in places, but
there are no other physical difficulties. The heat, however, is
intense. Alternative routes are given, from Lith to Loheia, and
from Umm el-Khishib to Loheia. The last of the Asir roads,
Route No. 54, connects Tanumah and Barak ; it descends the long
steep pass of Aqabah Sajein, and terminates in the district of
Barak at Suq el-A'jamah, a local trading centre of some importance.
Supplies. On all this group of tracks. Routes Nos. 40-54, villages
are encountered at frequent intervals, and, except on Route No. 45,