IN MESOPOTAMIA

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15339, 24 July 1915, Page 9

IN MESOPOTAMIA

FIGHTING ON THE EUPHRATES

SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS.

! | LONDON, July 21. j The Turkish forces which threatened Bnssorah havo been entrenching at Suk-esli-Skovukh and Nasrieh on tho Euphrates. Our force, in spite of a determined resistance, drovo out tho enemy, capturing seven Turkish officers, S3 regulars, and some Arabs. Our casualties were twenty-five killed and 84 wounded. The Turks retired below Nasrieh. from where they made several attempts to cfislodgo us. but were easily repulsed. AYe launched an attack on tho 13th inst. against the enemy's flank. The 24th Punjabis encountered an unexpected resistance, and suffered considerably. Tho operations are progressing. Suk-esh-Skevukh i-i about tivo miles ud tho Euphrates from Kurnah. whore that river unites with tho Tigris. It is on the south bank, and Nasrioh is a few miles further up on the north bank. Th.t cablo message is not clear as.to the exact locality of tbo fighting, but evidently the British have made considerable progress un.the Enphratos from Kuraah. They have already advanced

up the Tigris'as far as Amara, some'7o miles frc.n the junction. Tho river banks between Kurnab and Nnsrieh aro inhabited by wild tribes, which have never been under Turkish control. Before the war ships'nn this stretch were liable to attack by pirates.