§ 70. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Secretary of State for Air if he can make any statement about the bombing operations by aeroplanes that have been carried out recently from the territory of the Aden Protectorate in the Yemen and the bombing of Kataba; and whether a state of war exists between the Government of Aden and the Zaidi Imam Yahya of Sana?
§ Mr. AMERYI have been asked to take this question. The Imam of Sanaa has been in occupation of parts of the Aden Protectorate for some years. Protracted negotiations have taken place for a settlement of the question, and, in 1926, His Majesty's Government despatched a mission to Sanaa with this object. The Imam, however, refused to withdraw from the Protectorate. He was informed that, while His Majesty's Government were anxious to secure a friendly settlement of their differences with him, they could not recognise that he had any rights whatever within the Aden Protectorate, and they warned him that his continued occupation of parts of it would render him liable to retaliatory measures. In spite of this communication, armed Zeidi forces penetrated further into the Protectorate in September, 1927, and only withdrew on being warned that air action would be taken against them. Warnings were then dropped on certain towns in the Yemen that, in the event of further incursions being made into the Protectorate, air action would be taken against them. On the 8th February the Zeidis kidnapped the Alawi Sheikh and a relation of the Koteibi Sheikh, both of whom are entitled by treaty to the protection of His Majesty's Government. After 48 hours' notice, air action was taken against Kataba in Yemen territory, which is understood to be the headquarters of these Zeidi forces directly responsible for the outrage.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "air action"? Does he mean dropping bombs, and, if so, was notice given to the non-combatants to get out?
§ Mr. AMERYIf the hon. and gallant Member had listened, he would have learned that 48 hours' notice was given.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the usual practice in these raids is for the fighting men to clear out and leave the old women behind them?