IOR/L/PS/10/1234

The volume concerns the situation on the frontier of Iraq and Nejd [Kingdom of Hejaz and Nejd], in particular the policy of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and the impact of raids by the Akhwan [Ikhwan] (also referred to as 'Wahabis').

The papers cover: a protest by Ibn Saud against the building by the Iraq Government of a police post at Busaiyah, which Ibn Saud claimed was 'very close to the Nejd frontier'; details of an attack on the Busaiyah post in November 1927, in which six police, one Government official, and thirteen others were killed; the role of Ibn Saud in the activities of the Akhwan; the response of the Government of Iraq; the question of reconnaissance for sites for an air route along the north Arabian coast; air and armoured car patrols in the area; the activities of Faisal al Dawish [Fayṣal bin Sulṭān al-Dawīsh] and the Mutair [Muṭayr] tribe; discussion of whether to allow British aircraft to pursue 'Wahabi' raiders across the Nejd frontier; raids by the Akhwan; the risk of criticism of the British within Iraq; a suggested blockade of ports in Hasa; the question of the level of British military support for Iraq; the role of the Royal Air Force in defending Iraq; a 'Wahabi' raid into Transjordan; the threat of raids on Koweit [Kuwait]; the support of Royal Navy ships in the defence of Kuwait; engagements between aircraft and armoured cars, and Akhwan raiding parties; and military arrangements for the defence of Kuwait.

In addition to India Office correspondence and memoranda, the file includes correspondence from: the High Commissioner for Iraq; the Colonial Office; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; HM Consul, Jeddah; and the Government of India.

The file includes a divider which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.