HOSTILE ACTION BY IRAQIS

Southland Times, Issue 24426, 5 May 1941, Page 5

HOSTILE ACTION BY IRAQIS

ARTILLERY FIRE ON

AERODROME

(8.0.W.) RUGBY, May 3. The Ministry of Information, in a statement on the situation in Iraq, said: — “During the last few days the Iraq Government had posted troops round the British aerodrome at Habbaniyah. Trenches were dug and guns mounted on the edge of the desert plateau overlooking the aerodrome. A request that these troops should be withdrawn was met by the despatch of further forces. Early on Friday morning hostilities broke out, the Iraqi artillery opening fire point-blank on the aerodrome. “Habbaniyah is a Royal Air Force training centre and as a result the aircraft there are largely training machines. The cantonment which houses the ground staff and the small guard of Assyrian levies is unfortified. “According to the latest reports received a number of our aircraft has been destroyed and some casualties have been sustained. Our aircraft took action and a number of Iraqi guns has been silenced by our bombing. Yesterday afternoon the Iraqi Air Force attempted to raid the aerodrome, but without success. Friday night passed quietly, but shelling started again this morning and fighting is still in pro-

gross. “With regard to Iraqi claims to have occupied the oil wells and all the aerodromes of the country, it should be pointed out that these have always been in Iraqi hands, with the single exception of the Shaiba aerodrome. Nothing is known here of anything justifying the Iraqi claim to have repulsed a British attack on Rutba, in western Iraq, and the story that British tanks were destroyed on the aerodrome thcie is certainly untrue.” IRAQI CLAIMS The Iraqi Government, in a communique, said: “British troops at Habbaniyah adopted a hostile attitude, opening fire on the Iraqi garrison in the neighbourhood. We were forced to take defensive measures. Military operations are continuing with success to our arms.” The Berlin radio says that Iraqi troops occupied aerodromes, strategic road junctions and oilfields and that Iraqi garrisons are being reinforced with the calling up of two more classes.

Rashid Ali. who seized power, recently from the Regent. Abdul Ulan, is reported to have issued a manifesto saying: “The hour of fighting seems to approach. Britain is going to break the Anglo-Iraq Treaty by landing a second contingent before the first has left the country. The Iraq Government asked the British Ambassador to order the first contingent to Palestine lest the Iraqi Government resist by force the landing of the second. This is a holy struggle for the independence of Iraq.” A report from Beirut says that five British transports arrived at Haifa with war material, including anti-aircraft units for Iraq. British women and children are being evacuated to Palestine across Syria. “ ‘German tourists’ in Iraq are alarmingly more numerous than we thought,” says The Daily Express. “Enough, it is believed, have filtered in to cause a real threat to the British Army in Palestine. The French forces are not expected to resist the Germans, who have been working in Syria since the armistice, chiefly through the Mufti of Jerusalem, who is now in Baghdad. They have ■ achieved a strong antiFrench feeling among the Syrians.” POSITION DANGEROUS The Daily Express adds that the position is dangerous for Britain. The Iraqi Army and police force is estimated at 40,000, Iraq has only 36 firstline planes, but obviously the Germans will not leave Rashid Ali unsupported with men and weapons. Britain, according to a Baghdad report, has 20,000 troops in Iraq. The peace-time strength of the Royal Air Force at Habbaniyah is 5000 men, of whom 40 per cent, are British. The Berlin News Agency claimed that the Iraqis have cut the oil pipe line. A broadcast from Ankara states that German air squadrons are reported to have been sighted heading for Syria from the direction of Rhodes. SABOTAGE IN SYRIA

(Rec. 6.30 p.m.) BEIRUT,. May 3. The French authorities are searching for the saboteurs responsible for setting fire to th® Tripoli (Syria) oil refinery, where a Pumber of workers was injured and considerable damage done as the result of explosions following fires.