Turkey Offers Mediation in Iraq

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 107, 7 May 1941, Page 5

Turkey Offers Mediation in Iraq

Forces Must Withdraw From Habbaniyah Arab Air Force Shattered United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, May 5. Turkey has offered to mediate between Britain and Iraq. In reply, the British Government says it greatly appreciates the friendy motive of the Turkish Government but feels compelled to make it clear that the essential prerequisite to any discussion must be the withdrawal of Iraq troops from the vicinity of Habbaniyah aerodrome. It is stated that the Iraqis are holding the roads from Palestine and Basra. Habbaniyah aerodrome was the first point at which British and Iraqi troops clashed, and the trouble was provoked by Iraqi •helling of the cantonment there. So far as can be ascertained, no German aid other than moral was given Iraq before Rashid Ali's hostile action. -Vn Egyptian message is being sent to Iraq expressing the hope that good relations between Britain and Iraq will soon be re-established.

m me meantime, a communique issued from British Headquarters in the*' Middle East this afternoon shows that the British forces have the Iraq situation well in hand. The communique states that Iraqi artillery posted in the vicinity of Habbanlyah was rendered comparatively inactive yesterday by our aircraft. The garrison of Habbaniyah is intact and has suffered very few casualties from tbe unprovoked Iraqi attack. The greater part of the Iraqi Air Force has already been destroyed by our air action, either while attempting to attack British camps or as a result of attack by onr air force on Iraqi air bases. After attacking an unarmed British construction party which was in the vicinity, Iraqi forces on May 2, occupied Rutba. a post near the Syrian fron_ tier. In the Basra area, our troops remain in occupation without interference. The Berlin radio said to-day that a British cruiser and destroyer had arrived at Basra, Iraqi port in the Persian Gulf. An Iraqi communique issued at Baghdad stated that the encirclement of Habbaniyah aerodrome was closing in and that explosions and fires had been seen as a result of artillery fire