FIGHTING IN IRAQ

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 130, 3 May 1941, Page 7

FIGHTING IN IRAQ

CLASH WITH BRITISH.

STATE'S UNFAITHFULNESS LONDON„May2.

Fighting' between British and Iraqi soldiers has been going on all day following the commencement of hostilities at tbe Habbaniyeh air base at dawn. The latest advice is that it was continuing to-night. .

When Bashid Ali seized power recently he publicly announced that the Anglo-Iraqi Treaty would be faithfully observed and that British troops would be permitted to enter the country. But all the time ho was negotiating with the Germans, and the arrival of fresh troops at Basra was followed up by an enemy concentration at Habbaniyeh.

In .spite of a protest by Britain. Iraq refused to withdraw the troops and they started operations, so that the British forces were compelled to take appropriate steps, i The situation in Iraq was discussed at a conference in Washington to-day by Lord Halifax ( British Ambassador) and Mr Sumner Wolios (Assistant-Sec-retary of State). The British .Ministry of Economic "Warfare has . announced that cargo navicerts will in future be required for all cargoes proceedinc; to Iraq and Iran via the Persian Gulf from neutral ports outside Europe. APPEALS TO GERMANY. Agency messages state that it has been reliably reported in London that Kashid Ali has appealed to Germany for assistance against Britain. The fighting is still going on at the Habbaniyeh aerodrome. An official British statement has been broadcast to the people of Iraq calling on them tb overthrow Bashid Ali.

A Turkish spokesman to-day reiterated that "Turkey remains sincere and faithful to her 'treaty with Britain . . . There is no fear of her going into the enemy camp.'" OFFICIAL VERSION. The concentration of Iraqi troops round Habbaniyeh unfortunately led to a clash with the British forces stationed there, says a British Official Wireless message. Despite requests for their withdrawal, these Iraqi troops were reinforced yesterday, and early this morning opened fire on the cantonment, obliging the British forces to take the necessary counter-action.

It will be recalled that when Bashid Ali. supported by some high army leaders, seized power by force a month ago he declared publicly his intention to honour the Anglo-Iraqi treaty of alliance. Consequently, when Britain notified its desire to open a line of communications through Iraq lor the British Forces in accordaace with the arrangements made with Iraq a year ago. lie agreed to this action, and troops were landed at Basra without incident. When, however, some days later a further contingent was notified the Iraqi authorities declared they were unwilling to grant permission tor further British troops to arrive in Iraq before those which had already arrived had passeu through.

British insistence on the treaty rights and the landing ot further troops at Basra were followed by a menacing concentration of Iraqi troops round Habbaniyeh, and the local Iraqi commander conveyed to the British officer commanding at Habbaniyeh a provocative message that no (lights or troop movements at Habbaniyeh would be permitted under threat of bombardment. Representations by the British Ambassador to Bashid Ali to secure the withdrawal of the Iraqi troops were disregarded. There is reason to believe that the anti-British policy adopted by Bashid Ali is meeting with considerable opposition by the people oi Traq. who! would welcome the restoration of the friendly relations which have hitherto existed between the two countries.