IMPROVEMENT in IRAQ

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23323, 8 May 1941, Page 9

IMPROVEMENT in IRAQ

Rebel Withdrawal At ; Habbania

POSITION REOCCUPIED ON OIL LINE

(Received May 7, 11 p.m.) LONDON, May 7. A marked improvement in the position in Iraq is reported from Cairo. Iraqi troops have moved out of some positions round the British air base at Lake Habbania and British forces have reoccupied a position on the oil pipeline. A communique from Royal Air Force headquarters in the Middle East says that the situation in the area round Lake Habbania is much easier. Night patrols found enemy positions on the edge of the escarpment unoccupied, and the plateau due south of the air base is reported to be clear of rebels. Iraqi forces holding a position on the oil pipeline, the communique adds, indicated to approaching bombers their intention of surrendering by waving white flags, and the position was subsequenty occupied by British ground forces. An earlier communique reported the situation at Basra as being still quiet* thus contradicting an Iraqi communique saying that a violent battle is going on there. The Ankara radio says that three British transports have arrived at Basra with stong reinforcements of troops and tanks. Iraqi troops* according to the Ankara radio, retreated yesterday from the area round Bttra. The Beirut correspondent of the Official German %s Agency says the Iraqi High Command has ordered its troops to use ammunition sparingly, as no frtih supplies are available. i Another message from Beirut says that French officials there deny that Axis aeroplanes have landed at Syrian airports, or that Syria has granted passage for Axis forces.

The Italian Stefani News Agency claims that the Habbania airfield has besh rendered useless. Iraqi troops have not yet entered, it says, because tls barbed-wire defences are electrically (Charged, An Iraqi communique claims that iraoi police have occupied a British ppst near Samarra and captured the wireless station. i Samarfa is on the Tigris, about 70 miles north of Bagdad. ; A communique issued .yesterday from British General Headquarters in ,jsairo States; "In the Habbania area oiii aircraft were again active on Mon* si dayt Hostile shelling was intermittent and,inaccurate. In the Basra area the situation remains quiet,” I . 'Throughout Monday aircraft of the . Royal Air Force maintained constant patrols over Iraqi positions outside the Royal Air Force-station at Habbania," states a Royal Air Force compfiuniqtie issued yesterday. “Motor '■transport and personnel were bombed .and several direct hits were registered .on gun positions. The results of the . shelling of the Royal Air Force station ' tad' of a little machine-gun fire were negligible. "Iraqi military positions were bombed at Diwanla and many direct hit| were obtained on the barracks and administrative buildings. Motor transport at Falluja, between Bagdad and Habbania, was also' hit.” Referring to Iraq during his speech on the war situation in the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary (Mr R. Ac Eden) said that the trouble there Was of great concern to Turkey and Britain. Unconstitutional action by Seyyid Rashid All had largely led once to his fall. When later he seized power again Britain could not see how this or any other event In Iraq should deprive her of her intention to land troops at Basra and open up lines of

communication through Iraq in. accordance with the terms of the treaty. “Nothing can excuse the action of the Iraqi military leaders in first accepting and then challenging our clear treaty rights,” said Mr Eden. “This country has a record of which it has no need to be ashamed in its dealings with the Arab peoples, and, above ali, with Iraq. It was we who ensured the independence of modern Iraq. It is we who have assisted her and in every respect kept our word. I do not propose now to describe in detail the events of the last few days, but only to make plain to the world our present position. “We are very grateful for the offer of good offices by Turkey and Egypt. Our position is ,as follows—the first requisite is the withdrawal of troops from Habbania and the cessation of hostilities against His Majesty’s forces in Iraq. When this has been done Britain is prepared to discuss the fulfilment of her treaty rights, which she must make plain that she is, in’all .circumstances, determined to maintain "One word of friendly counsel to our Arab friends in all lands—no people have more reason to fear an Axis victory than those who dwell in Arab lands.” The Berlin radio states that the Iraq 5 Government has announced that it has rejected proposals for mediation by a neutral country. Iraq is willing to negotiate only after the British have left Iraq. Anti-British tendencies in Syria are groyning each day. The local population is collecting money for Iraq. The British police have forbidden the population of Palestine to listen to the Iraqi radio. , „ , The Ankara radio says that Turkey is strengthening the defences oh the Turkish-Iranian frontier under the Turkish-IrSnian agreement of last December providing for protective measures. HAILE SELASSIE RETURNS RE-ENTRY INTO ADDIS ABABA ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES IN CITY (Received May 7, 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, May 6. The Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, made a triumphant re-entry into Addis Ababa yesterday, the sixth anniversary of the invasion of his country by the Italians. It was five years almost to the day since the Emperor was forced to leave his capital. Halle Selassie was welcomed by the British Commander-in-Chief in East Africa (Lieutenant-General A. Q. Cunningham), and by his two sons, the Crown Prince, who has just been made a lieutenant-general in the Ethiopian Army, and the Duke of Harrar. There were enthusiastic scenes m the city, the route of the royal procession being lined with the Ethiopian colours. Since he never relinquished ms claim to the throne, the Emperor will not have a second coronation, GERMAN SPIES IN TOBRUK BRITISH UNIFORMS WORN LONDON, May 6. German spies wearing British uniforms have been discovered Inside Tobruk. states the Cairo correspondent of the "Daily Herald.” Two of them made purchases at a canteen unit Without being recognised. . ... Since mis. discovery special squads have been searching the.garrison for other spies. Strict security regulations have been Imposed by the commander. OCCUPATION OF OREEK ISLANDS CLAIM MADE BY ITALIANS LONDON, May 6. Art Italian' communique claims the occupation of six islands in the Cyclades (Greek) grbup, in the Aegean Sea.:

NAZIS REINFORCE ! TROOPS

Position Unchanged ti North Africa [progress in [ABYSSINIA ' (Received May 7, 11 p.m.) ' LONDON. May 7. Strengthening is going on behind the British positions in North Africa and the Germans are also bringing up reinforcements. Heavy sandstorms and a furnacelike, heat are testing the endurance of the Germans in the Solium and Tobruk areas. According to military nirdes in Cairo the situation is much . the same as it was 24 hours ago. It Is believed the enemy attacks have Proved exhausting as well as costly. ■Thi Berlin radio has announced that sir bases have now been established Greece, particularly in Pelopon/MwAtenabling German aircraft to .Jsgftoftn the battle of Tobruk. ..fccessitates a flight Of .only 600 with 1200 hitherto. ' { position in Abyssinia, where columns from the north and south are ■ on Amba Alaga, is deas very promising. , : '-‘Two; very heavy Royal Air Force bombing attacks on enemy aerodromes landing fields in Cyrehaica are in the Royal Air Force ■{'Middle East communique, which states: very heavy bombing attack was v’-'t?t*de on Sunday night on Benghazi i:-?«Fbour. Benina aerodrome, and the Sing fields at Barce, Derria. and El 1«. At least five enemy aerowere destroyed by fire At sSfhlne, including one or more large • ®cke Wulf Condor troOp-carryjng Wcraft. Enemy aircraft were also at Benina and Derna, .g-SW fires and explosions occurred at iW»ghßzi and Barce. fPS'pur fighters and< bombers were «sfctive yesterday, attacking enemy units in the Bardia, El -/JAdemi: Port Capuzzo,; and Solium Considerable damage was done .vehicles and personnel, *n*my aircraft raided . Crete on : Sunday, but our fighters intercepted ■ and shot down one Junkers 88 arid ; damaged several others,,' While antis' aircralt fire damaged .several more,.; - | In Abyssinia aircraft of the Royal |f Air Force and South African Air A, Force continued harassing operations | against the enemy In, the few areas | ? ?til.hela by them, |* st From all these operations two of IkJWf aircraft missing.** :