WARFARE IN ARABIA

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 187, 7 May 1934, Page 9

WARFARE IN ARABIA

Wahabis Invade Territory of Yemen BRITAIN SENDS WARSHIPS By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. (Received May 6, 5.5 p.m.) Cairo, May 5. Owing to the continuance of hostility between Yahya Muhamad Hamid-ud-din, Imam of Yemen, in the south-west corner of Arabia, and the King of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud, Britain has responded to an appeal for assistance. A few weeks >ago Ibn Saud ordered the Crown Prince to reoccupy townships on the hills of Tehama, which the Imam of Yemen had seized. As a result of Ibu Saud’s order the Wahabis swoepingly invaded Yemen toward Hodeida, which Imam Yahya’s troops evacuated, after looting the ammunition store and the Customs shed. A revolution is reported in the capital city, Sanaa, due to lack of food. Prince Seiful Islam, Heir Apparent, has fled. Meanwhile the Iqftim asked King Fuad of Egypt to intervene, and the British authorities at Aden dispatched the sloop Penzance, eight aeroplanes, and armed native police to Hodeida. A British cruiser has left Mombasa. Kenya Colony, bound for Aden. A later message states that the Penzance transferred British and Indian residents and 309 foreigners from Hodeida to Kamaran Island. Ibn Saud is unlikely to accept the suggested mediation of King Fuad because Egypt has hitherto not recognised Ibn Saud’s Government. Imam Yahya addressed the War Council at Sanaa, after which it was decided to defend the capital to the last gasp. A Rome message states that three Italian warships have been dispatched from the Red Sea to Hodeida to protect Italian interests.