Fierce Battle In Iraq

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1941, Page 5

Fierce Battle In Iraq

(Rec. 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 22. An Iraq communique says a fierce battle is still in progress at Habbaniyah.

As the result of the capture of Fallujah, in Iraq, on May 19, we have taken 300 Iraqi prisoners, including 27 officers, and quantities of stores and equipment. On May 19 we also took a post on the oil pipeline some 25 miles north-east of Rutba, capturing all-the garrison. Supports British Action

Turkish opinion strongly supports the British apt.’on in Iraq, according to responsible quarters in Ankara, says a British Official Wireless message.

The newspaper “Yeni Sabah,” for instance, deplores the fact that Iraq has fallen victim to German intrigues. “The Iraqis,” it says, “should recollect that they owe their independence to the British, who, if they had wished, could have remained in occupation and governed that country as a colony.”

The newspaper “Cumhuriyet” recalls that Britain voluntarily surrendered her mandate over Iraq and sponsored the latter’s admission to the League of Nations as an independent state. Consequently, it was impossible to suspect British designs on Iraqi independence. Other newpapers emphasise that these events occurring in her southern zone of security interest Turkey as much as the Balkans question.