London, May 3.
MGHTING has broken out between British forces in Iraq and Iraqi troops near Habbaniyah, where there is an important British aerodrome.
An official British statement says that British troops in reply to fire from iraqi troops yesterday took necessary counter ction. Fighting continued throughout the day and is believed to be still in progress.
An appeal to the people of Iraq to expel the present government was broadcast in the British Broadcasting Corporation Arabic service yesterday afternoon.
It was the concentration of Iraqi troops around Habbaniyah, which led to the unfortunate clash with British forces stationed there, it is learned in London. Despite requests for their withdrawal, these Iraqi troops were reinforced on Thursday, and early yesterday morning they opened fire on cantonments, obliging the British forces to take necessary counter-act tion, Passage of British Troops will be recalled that. when Rashid Ah supported by certain high Army leaders seized power by force 'a month ago, he declared publicly his intention of honouring the Anglo-Iraqi_ treaty alliance, consequently. when the British Government notified their desire to open, a line of communication through Iraq for British forces in accordance with the arrangements made by the Iraqi Government a year ago. he agreed, and troops were landed at Basrah without incident.
When, however, some days later a further contingent was notified, the Tragi authorities declared they were unwilling {o grant permission for further British: troops to arrive in Traq before those which were already there had passed through.
British, Insistenee on here treaty rights and the landing of further troops at Bastah were followed. by menacing concentration of Iraqi troops round Habbaniyah, and the Ioeal_Iraqi commander conveyed to the British officer commanding at '|Habbaniyah a provocative message that _no flights or troop movements at Habbanlyah would be permitted under threat of bombardment, Representations by the British Ambassador to Rashid All to secure the withdrawal of the Iraqi troops were disregarded.
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