In Mesopotamia the British had been advancing up the Tigris river towards Baghdad. At the Battle of Ctesiphon however they suffered a bloody reverse when they tried to break through the Turkish lines. Now they have retreated back to the town of Kut-al-Amara. The Turks mounted an effective pursuit and the British were also harried by the opportunistic attacks of the Arabs living alongside the river.
General Townshend decides that his men will make a stand in Kut rather than retreat further down the river. This is risky as the Turks are likely to surround him there. At the moment there are no British forces in Mesopotamia that could come to his aid but Townshend is confident that more will be sent. His men have 60 days rations, which should be more than enough.
Townshend also decides against expelling the civilian population of Kut. Keeping them there provides more mouths to feed during a siege but sending them away would create a humanitarian crisis. Townshend reckons they will have no problems weathering a short siege.
image source (Wikipedia)