Qajar-Wahhabi War

Qajar-Wahhabi War
Part of the Wahhabi expansionism and the Wahhabi War
Date 1812-1814 Location Arabian Peninsula and Persian Gulf Result Qajar-Omani victory Territorial changes Reconquest of Muscat and Bahrain by Qajar-Omani forces
Belligerents
Qajar Iran Omani Empire	Emirate of Diriyah Bani Bu Ali Allied Arabian tribes
Commanders and leaders
Fath-Ali Shah Qajar Said bin Sultan	Saud bin Abdulaziz Mutlaq bin Muhammad Al-Mutairi  †
Strength
~5,000	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The Qajar-Wahhabi War, also known as Fath Ali Shah's Campaign Against the Wahhabis, was a war between the First Saudi State and the Qajar and Omani empires from 1812 to 1814, in response to Wahhabi expansionism in the Arabian Peninsula and the Wahhabi sack of Karbala.

In 1802, when the Wahhabis sacked Karbala, where a large number of Shiites were massacred, and the shrine of Imam Husayn was greatly damaged, which angered many Muslims. After becoming the ruler of Oman, Said bin Sultan sought help from the Qajars. After long negotiations with Fath Ali Shah, he was able to persuade him to fight against the Wahhabis.

Fath Ali Shah ordered a large force of three thousand warriors to be assembled under the leadership of Saadi Khan. This force marched towards Barka and both sides agreed that Said bin Sultan would take command of the combined forces. Realising the threat posed by the collaboration between Said bin Sultan and the Qajar Shah, Saud bin Abdul Aziz sent an envoy to the Shah to establish friendly relations and prevent the expected expedition. Nevertheless, the Shah sided with Said bin Sultan and instructed Commander Saadi Khan to accompany Said bin Sultan on his return with three thousand Iranian cavalry. This force eventually reached Barka, and in early 1812. Said bin Sultan successfully retook the forts of Nakhal. Sheikh Muhammad bin Nasser al-Jabri went to al-Buraymi for help but found that Mutlaq al-Mutairi had already left. He pursued Mutlaq and urged him to join forces against the Iran-Umman coalition. Mutlaq rallied various tribes, including the Bani Bu Ali tribe from Oman. Meanwhile, Salem bin Sultan's forces and the Qajars, led by Saadi Khan, gathered in Izki.^[1] The battle was fought near Izki and the Qajar-Uman alliance was defeated.^[2][3] For the forces of Mutlaq al-Mutairi entered the village of Bani Rawaha in Wadi Samail. Samail Fortress was captured by the Wahhabis. Muttrah was looted and the Sultan of Oman was forced to pay annual tribute to the Imam of Diryah.^[4][5] Although the Saudis won the battle of Izki, the Qajars were able to retake it later.^[6] At the request of the Omanis, the Qajars arrived in Muscat and Bahrain, which were under Wahhabi siege, and defeated the Wahhabis.^[7][8][9] Qajars consistently supported the defence of Oman against Wahhabi attacks. They maintained strategic control over key points such as Muscat and Bahrain. It was also of great importance to the Qajars as it helped them maintain their influence over the Persian Gulf. In 1818, the Ottoman siege and capture of Diriyah dealt a major blow to the Wahhabis and led to a major political setback.^{[10][11][12][13][14]}