TAKEN BY BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1941, Page 5

TAKEN BY BRITISH FORCES IN IRAQ

Rebels in Habbania Area Pushed Back GENERAL SITUATION MUCH RELIEVED TURKEY UNDER NO ILLUSIONS (By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, May 12. Following ui» a bombing raid, armoured cars of the Royal Air Force yesterday morning occupied the fort of Rutba, western Iraq, and the whole of Illis important area is now in British hands, il was officially announced in Cairo. An agency dispatch says that an ultimatum dropped at dawn by the R.A.F. preceded the final attack, resulting in the surrender of this important point on the air route to India and on the HaifaKirkuk pipe-line. The situation has been much relieved as a result ol the capture of Riilba and the pushing back of tin* Iraquis who were investing Habbania. It is stated in Cairo without confirmation that two Italian generals have arrived at Bagdad. King Ibn Sand of Saudi Arabia is believed to have informed Rashid Ali that he is unable to offer any assistance to the ant i-Br.it ish movement in Iraq. The altitude of Iran (Persia) to the events in Iraq is also believed to be one of complete disapproval. The Soviet official news agency announced that Russia has accepted a proposal by I rail for the establishment of diplomatic relat ions. The Ankara correspondent of “The Timos” says there is an impression in Turkish circles that the Turkish Government is not very well satisfied will) the present visit by the Iraqui Minister of Defence, Na.ji Shawkat.