ACTION IN ARABIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 15

ACTION IN ARABIA.

Official advices state that the British started on January 3 an offensive against tho Turks, rapturing the entire _ force and armament at Mainda, in Arabia, in the vicinity of Shabin. Tho" British War Office states that it is reported from Aden that a strong reconnaissance in tho direction of Ha tut Jabir resulted in the destruction of Hatut's defences. The enemy's casualties wore severe. Official confirmation has been obtained of the success of the Arab operations against tho Hedmaz railway, north of Aan. During three days in the first week of January the Arabs gained possession, of an important portion of the line, wrecking and burning tho rolling stock and damaging bridges. The raiders retired with prisoners and booty; Turkish official communique: It is reported from Yemen that our troops nearAden continue enterprises. Safety provails over tho whole of tho Arabian provinces. A British effort to land near Hodaida failed, when the coasting trade has not been interrupted. Tho Press Bureau* comments upon this: The Turkish Yemen garrison has long been cut off from tho outside world. The ISodaida incident probably refers to a successful raid by the Rod Sop, patrol ships on June 12, when a small landing party captured tho entire Turkish post of 100 men. with two mountain guns and three machine guns.