Battle of Riyadh (1902)

Battle in the Unification war

Battle of Riyadh

Part of the Unification of Saudi Arabia

Masmak Fort
| Date| 13 January 1902

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Location|

Riyadh, Emirate of Ha'il

Result|

House of Saud victory

* Abdulaziz successfully captured Riyadh
* Establishment of Emirate of Riyadh

Belligerents
Emirate of Ha'il|  House of Saud
Commanders and leaders
Ibn Ajlan †|  Abdulaziz Ibn Saud
Strength
80|  68
Casualties and losses
30 dead|  7 dead

dead[1]

* v
* t
* e

Unification of Saudi Arabia

* Riyadh
* Dilam
* Qassim
* Hadia [ar]
* al-Hasa
* Jarrab
* Kanzan
* al-Khurma
* Hajla [ar]
* Hurmula
* Ha'il
* 1st Kuwait
* Transjordan
* Hejaz
* 2nd Kuwait
* Ikhwan Revolt
* Official proclamation
* Yemen

The  Battle of Riyadh was a minor battle of the Unification War between Rashidi and Saudi forces. It occurred on 13 January 1902, in Masmak Fort in Riyadh, the capital of present-day Saudi Arabia.

In late 1901, following the end of the Second Saudi State the Al Saud clan was forced to move to Kuwait after Riyadh had fallen to the Al Rashid family. Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud head of the clan requested supplies and men from the Kuwaiti Emir to retake his home town. The Kuwaiti prince, who was also involved in several wars with Rashidis, acceded to Ibn Saud's request and gave him horses and arms.

After he arrived he said. "Judgment belongs to God and then to Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman bin Al Saud".

In January 1902, Ibn Saud and his men returned to Riyadh and successfully assaulted the castle. He captured and killed Ibn Ajlan (Chief of Riyadh) after morning prayers, and Abdul Aziz held Ibn Ajlan's head and threw it to the people of Riyadh.[2]

Abdul Aziz's victory marked the start of three decades of fighting that would ultimately see him unite nearly all of central Arabia under his rule. It also marked the beginning of the Third Saudi State, which evolved into present-day Saudi Arabia.

## See also[edit]

* History of Saudi Arabia
* List of wars involving Saudi Arabia

## References[edit]

1. ^ Aburish, Said K. (1995). The Rise, Corruption and the Coming Fall of the House of Saud. New York: St. Martin’s Press. p. 14. ISBN 9780312125417.
2. ^ "Dictator of the Month: King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia".

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