Second Saudi-Rashidi War (1915–1918)

The Second Saudi-Rashidi War was fought between the British-aligned Emirate of Nejd and Hasa and the Ottoman-allied Emirate of Jabal Shammar.

Background

Following the First Saudi–Rashidi War, the Emirate of Nejd, under Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, consolidated its control over the Qassim region and the lands south of it, effectively becoming the master of central Arabia, an area within modern-day Saudi Arabia. During this period, both the Emirate of Nejd and the Emirate of Jabal Shammar (ruled by the Al Rashid dynasty) had complex relationships with the Ottoman Empire. Jabal Shammar was a more consistent ally, receiving Ottoman military and material support. Nejd, while at times formally acknowledging Ottoman suzerainty (Ibn Saud was even appointed '' qaimmaqam'' of southern Nejd by the Ottomans in 1905), largely operated with considerable autonomy, particularly after defeating combined Rashidi-Ottoman forces and securing Ottoman withdrawal from Qassim in 1906. In 1913, taking advantage of Ottoman preoccupation with wars in Libya and the Balkans, Ibn Saud's forces conquered the Al-Hasa region from its Ottoman garrison, an act the weakened Ottoman Empire was compelled to recognize.

Neutrality and Alignments during World War I

At the outset of World War I in 1914, the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa, under Ibn Saud, initially declared neutrality. The Emirate of Jabal Shammar also initially declared neutrality but subsequently became an active military ally of the Ottoman Empire and the Central Powers, receiving arms and conducting operations against Allied interests. Kuwait, which had been a British Protectorate since the Anglo-Kuwaiti Agreement of 1899, declared a policy of neutrality. However, with the Ottoman Empire joining the Central Powers, Britain formally declared Kuwait "an independent Shaikhdom under British protection" in November 1914, and British forces protected it throughout the war, meaning it was effectively aligned with Allied interests.

Negotiations

Captain William Shakespear, a British political officer and explorer, was instrumental in establishing and managing official British contact with Ibn Saud, also serving as his military advisor from 1910 until Shakespear's death in 1915. During World War I, the British actively sought a formal alliance with the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa. Their primary motivation was to counter the Emirate of Jabal Shammar, whose raids and pro-Ottoman stance were perceived as a threat to British operations in the Mesopotamian Campaign. These negotiations culminated in the Treaty of Darin in December 1915, wherein Britain recognized Ibn Saud's rule over Nejd and Hasa (which became a British protectorate), and Ibn Saud agreed to enter the war as a British ally against Ottoman-aligned forces, particularly Jabal Shammar, in return for financial and military support. Concurrently, the Ottoman Empire also attempted to secure an alliance with Ibn Saud and other Arab leaders, offering inducements and appealing to pan-Islamic sentiment, hoping to ensure their cooperation against the Allies.

The Battle of Jarrab

During the Battle of Jarrab on January 24, 1915, although Ibn Saud's cavalry initially bested their Al Rashid counterparts, Al Rashid's infantry ultimately overcame Ibn Saud's forces, leading to an overall victory for Jabal Shammar. The Ajman tribe's withdrawal from the battlefield, viewed as a betrayal by Ibn Saud, contributed to this defeat, led to the sacking of his camp, and sparked the Ajman revolt. Shakespear was killed in combat during the battle. Shakespear's death strained British trust in Ibn Saud and is considered by some historians to have influenced the course of the Arab Revolt, potentially leading to greater British support for Sherif Hussein of Mecca over Ibn Saud.

The Treaty of Darin

The Treaty of Darin, signed on December 26, 1915, was an agreement between the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa and the United Kingdom, represented by Sir Percy Cox. It established the Emirate as a British protectorate and defined its territorial boundaries. The British committed to provide financial assistance (a monthly stipend of £5,000) and weapons in exchange for the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa agreeing not to engage in hostilities against any of the United Kingdom's allies nor enter into agreements with other foreign powers without British consent. While the rivalry was longstanding, the Treaty of Darin provided crucial support that enabled the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa to more effectively prosecute its conflict with Jabal Shammar, an Ottoman ally.

Supplying Ibn Saud and Jabal Shammar

At the beginning of 1915, the Ottomans provided Jabal Shammar with substantial support, including an estimated 10,000 rifles and ammunition. Following the Treaty of Darin, the Emirate of Nejd and Hasa received from the United Kingdom its monthly stipend of £5,000, which was supplemented in January 1917 with an annual subsidy of £60,000. Furthermore, Ibn Saud's forces obtained weapons from the British, including a significant shipment in June 1916.

Military Actions 1915-1918

Ajman Revolt and Early Clashes

Throughout much of 1915, following the Battle of Jarrab, Ibn Saud's forces were occupied with suppressing the Ajman revolt. The Battle of Kanzan was a particularly significant engagement during this internal conflict, where Ibn Saud was defeated and wounded. Some British authorities, particularly those favoring Sherif Hussein, viewed Ibn Saud's military progress with skepticism. Consequently, in November 1916, Sir Percy Cox, the British Political Resident, arranged meetings, including discussions at Al-Aqeer and a conference in Kuwait, with Ibn Saud and Sheikh Jabir Al Sabah of Kuwait to mediate an end to hostilities between the Sauds and the Ajman tribe and to coordinate regional efforts. Meanwhile, Jabal Shammar conducted raids against Nejd and Kuwait throughout 1916. In early 1916, Kuwait supported Nejd by sending 200 men to assist in its defense.

Jabal Shammar's Actions in 1916 and 1917

Jabal Shammar continued its struggle against Nejd. In March 1917, Jabal Shammar launched a significant attack on the Hejaz, which was allied with Britain. They also conducted raids along the Hejaz railway, targeting Hejazi forces and providing assistance to the Ottoman forces in the siege of Medina.

The Arrival of Sir Percy Cox and Britain's Requests for Ibn Saud

Sir Percy Cox became the primary British official engaging with Ibn Saud after Captain Shakespear's death, facilitating the Treaty of Darin in December 1915. Cox continued to play a significant role in the region, later facilitating the Uqair Protocol in 1922 as High Commissioner for Iraq. In late 1917, Harry St. John Philby was sent by the British on a diplomatic mission to encourage Ibn Saud's more active participation in the war effort and the launch of a new offensive against Jabal Shammar. The British, while aware of Nejd's ongoing conflict with the Ottoman-allied Jabal Shammar, sought more direct and coordinated participation from Ibn Saud in the broader war effort. Ibn Saud explained to Philby that launching a major military offensive at that time was challenging due to the rugged and mountainous terrain of Jabal Shammar, the strength of Ha'il's fortifications, and his limited arsenal.

Nejd's 1918 Offensive

Following British encouragement and material support, Ibn Saud initiated an offensive against Jabal Shammar in August 1918 with approximately 5,000 troops. By September, his forces had advanced close to Ha'il, the capital of Jabal Shammar. However, Nejd terminated the offensive in October, partly due to reports of Hejaz making peace with Jabal Shammar and following British advice. The British counselled Ibn Saud to cease hostilities as they wished to avoid provoking King Hussein of Hejaz and preferred Jabal Shammar to remain as a potential counterbalance in the region at that time. Nevertheless, this campaign yielded significant spoils for Nejd, including in the reported capture of 1,500 camels, many sheep, and 10,000 cartridges, and further weakened Jabal Shammar.

Gallery

File:305f0AAF652E-E072-40B9-A9B6-AC5C96290608.webp, King Abdulaziz with Sheikh Faisal bin Sultan Al-Dawish next to him, photographed by the English officer Shakespear the day before the Battle of Jerrab, where Shakespear was killed.
File:خريطة الدولة السعودية الثالثة - 1916.jpg, Nejd during 1916, in green
File:Ibn Saud in Iraq (1916) inspecting British Officers.jpg, Ibn Saud in Iraq during the Second Saud-Rashidi War
File:Ibn Saud in Basra.jpg, Ibn Saud in Basra during WWI

See also

* List of wars involving Saudi Arabia
*
* Battle of Ha'il

References

{{World War I

Middle Eastern theatre of World War I