Within the independent government of the East Turkestan Republic, while Sabid-da-Mulla insisted upon defending the Old City of Kashgar to the death, Mahum and Nias wanted to quit the Old City for the time being, withdraw to Ying-chi-sha, and plan a second uprising. These two at last withdrew to Ying-chi-sha and there joined the Khotan forces that had been fighting the T'ungkan troops of the New City of Kashgar. Sabid and all other important members now had no recourse but to withdraw to Ying-chi-sha. The T'ungkan troops in the New City of Kashgar entered the Old City without a fight. At that time Mahumd and Nias had already withdrawn to Yarkand. Sabid, in the middle of February, gathered the troops scattered in the vicinity of Ying-chi-sha, and attacked Kashgar. Though he recaptured the Old City he lost it again after two days, and was beaten back to Ying-chi-sha.