REBELS PUNISHED

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 138, 13 May 1941, Page 5

REBELS PUNISHED

IRAQ AIR ATTACKS. SITUATION MORE NORMAL. (United Press Association —Copyright' (British Official Wireless.) (Rcc. 11 a.m.) RUGBY, May 12. A Middle East communique reports that all is quiet at Habbaniyah and Basra. The situation in Iraq has become more stabilised, according to an R.A.E. Middle East communique.

Oar aircraft have been engaged on punitive operations against ttie rebels m most districts where they were observed. ,

IMPORTANT GAIN CONTROL OF WEST IRAQ. LONDON, 'May 12. With the occupation of the fort of Rutba, western Iraq, the whole of this important area is now in British hands, it is officially announced in Cairo. An agency dispatch says that an ultimatum dropped at dawn by the R.A.F preceded the final attack, resulting in the surrender of this important point on the air route to l'ndia and on the Haifa-lvirkuk pipeline.

The situation has heen much relieved as a result of the capture of Rutba and the pushing back of the Iraqis who were investing Habbaniyah. Tlie British frontier force and an Arab force from Transjordania are at present scouring both sides of the western frontier with the object of mopping up guerrilla forces which may be forming. The Iraqis at Habbaniyah can no longer shell the British positions, whereas the British have been using the aerodrome from the outset of the hostilities. Our planes are also using a polo ground on tlie outside perimeter of the base

It is stated in Cairo without confirmation that two Italian generals have arrived at Bagdad. King Ibn Sand of Saudi Arabia is believed to have informed Rashid Ali that he is unable to offer any assistance to the anti-British movement in Iraq. The attitude of Iran (Persia) to the events in Iraq is also believed to bo one of complete disapproval. The Ankara correspondent of the Times says there is an impression in Turkish circles that the Turkish Gov ernment is not very well satisfied with the present visit by the Iraqi Minister of Defence. Naji Shavkat. It had been assumed that Shawkat intended to submit acceptable proposals for ending the conflict in Iraq so that Turkey could transmit them to Britain, but from Shawkat's conversation-with the Turkish Foreign Minister (M. Saracoglu) it appears lie is more interested in expounding the Iraqi case to Turkey and gaining Turkish support.

RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA. In making the announcement that the Soviet Government has now lor the first time established diplomatic relations with Iraq, the Russian news agency reveals tluit the Iraq Government repeatedly made this proposal last year and in doing so asked that the Soviet Government should make a public declaration that it recognised the independence of the Arabic countries, including. Iraq. 'I hc Soviet Government replied then that it did not consider it possible to make such a declaration, as a result of which the negotiations were interrupted. Iraq later pressed (lie matter, hut without making it dependent on any conditions. 'I he Soviet Government then withdrew its objection and accepted the proposal. SOVIET STEP. BR TT fSH INTERI’RETATION. .(British Official Wireless.) (Rcc. 1.10 p.m.) RUGBY. May 12The announcement from Mo-.cow of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Soviet and I raq is regarded here as an expression of the desire by Russia, to regularise her relations with her near neighbours rather than as a gesture favouring Rashid Ali personally. As stated in Moscow, the announcement of the reopening of Iraq-Soviet relations has long been the subject of intermittent negotiations. Those have failed because previous Iraq Governments wished to impose conditions which the Soviet was unwilling to accept. Rashid Ali apparently initiated the new proposal. which the Soviet welcomed as consistent with its realistic policy. CALL FOR HOLY WAR. (Rec 11 a.m.) BERLIN, May 12. An Official News Agency despatch from Beirut declared that the exiled Mohammedan Grand-Multi of .Jerusalem has issued a. proclamation to the Arab people demanding a Mohammedan liolv war against Britain.