Page 83 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

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MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1873-74. 75

Ill July His Highness Syud Toorkec, who had for some time enter­
tained the idea of recovering possession of Sobar and other forts in the
Batinah from Syud Ibrahim, having already in the previous month
despatched troops thither for the purpose, left Muscat in his corvette the
Jiahmance, and on reaching Sohar was joined by the El Naim and
ether tribes who had engaged to co-operate. In the meantime Sheikh
Saleh bin Ali El Harithee endeavoured to create a diversion in Syud
Ibrahim's favour by effecting a coalition of the Hinawi tribes in El
Sharkiych and threatening to attack Muscat during His Highness'
absence. The attempted demonstration, however, completely failed and
shortly after His Highness Syud Toorkec succeeded in gaining possession
of Sohar, from Syud Ibrahim, under a conditional surrender, and the
whole of the Batinah with the coast forts now submitted to the Sultan's
authority.
Near the end of the month Syud Abdool Azcez, who had landed near
Pussnec on the Mekran Coast, having managed to gain the adhesion of
some of the Bclooch tribes, mostly subjects of the Khan of Khelat, and
collected a force of about 500 men, invested the fort of Gwadur which
was then garrisoned by a few Arabs and a small party of Bcloocbees.
A reiuforccmcut of 200 men sent from Muscat incomprehensibly returned
without having landed, and the fall of Gwadur seemed at one time
imminent.
In the beginning of August, however, Syud Abdool Azeez, having
been deserted apparently by most of his Belooch auxiliaries, who bad
principally engaged themselves in ransacking and plundering the town,
gave up his attempt on Gwadur and retired into Mekran where he
remained for a time with one of the petty Chiefs.
Billing the Sultan's absence at Burka and Sobar the inimical Beni
Ituwcyeh tribe made a raid on His Highness' date plantations in the
Semail District with the object of securing the ripe harvest, and a slight
collision occurred in consequence. Syud Toorkee intended to have
marched to punish the offenders from Burka, bat was suddenly pros­
trated by severe illness and compelled to relinquish his design.

Towards the middle of August the restless Saleh bin Ali El
Harithee again endeavoured to foment disturbances and effect a rising
of the IIinawi tribes, and he managed to despatch a party of about 40U
of the A1 Wahibeh as an advance force to Muttra, without at first
creating any suspicion of their object. The Ghafiii tribes of Semail,
however, having quickly become aware of the scheme closed the Akk
Pass in front of Saleh's main body, thus effectually checking his advance
and ultimately compelling him to retire. The Al Wahibeh hearing of
Saleh's repulse and consequent failure to join them soon made peace
with His Highness, and Saleb bin All's movement which had at one time
appeared formidable collapsed altogether.
At the commencement of September His Highness Syud Toorkee
concluded negotiations with the refractory Beni Ruweyeh tribe, who, on
certain conditions being granted to them, gave in their allegiance and
promised submission.

On the 12th September Syud Abdool Azeez having disregarded
the warning of Government and attempted to cross over to Oman was