THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST.—A map of the Middle East, showing the countries affected by the hostilities. The latest move is the Allied advance into Syria from Transjordan through the Jebel Druse towards Damascus, and from Palestine towards Beirut. The German-inspired uprising in Iraq has been crushed before the Nazis, delayed by the dogged resistance in Greece and Crete, could assemble in Syria in sufficient strength to march to the assistance of the rebels and attempt the seizure of the important oil wells. The wells are reported to be undamaged. Off the coast of Syria the British island of Cyprus is preparing to resist any German attack. The Allied move into Syria has caused gratification in Turkey and Egypt. The Egyptians feared that Germany would assemble an army in Syria which would, simultaneously with the German force in Libya, launch an attack on Egypt. Turkey, already greatly worried by the German occupation of Greece, Crete, Lemnos (off the Dardanelles), Mitylene, Khios, anti the Italian island of Rhodes, foresaw in a German occupation of Syria the completion of a manoeuvre which would leave the Turkish Mediterranean coastline and the southern border dominated by the Nazis.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24629, 10 June 1941, Page 5

THE WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST.—A map of the Middle East, showing the countries affected by the hostilities. The latest move is the Allied advance into Syria from Transjordan through the Jebel Druse towards Damascus, and from Palestine towards Beirut. The German-inspired uprising in Iraq has been crushed before the Nazis, delayed by the dogged resistance in Greece and Crete, could assemble in Syria in sufficient strength to march to the assistance of the rebels and attempt the seizure of the important oil wells. The wells are reported to be undamaged. Off the coast of Syria the British island of Cyprus is preparing to resist any German attack. The Allied move into Syria has caused gratification in Turkey and Egypt. The Egyptians feared that Germany would assemble an army in Syria which would, simultaneously with the German force in Libya, launch an attack on Egypt. Turkey, already greatly worried by the German occupation of Greece, Crete, Lemnos (off the Dardanelles), Mitylene, Khios, anti the Italian island of Rhodes, foresaw in a German occupation of Syria the completion of a manoeuvre which would leave the Turkish Mediterranean coastline and the southern border dominated by the Nazis.