Page 125 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

2, Captain Paslcy of HMS “Highflyer” carried out Pelly’s orders and destroyed
a small fort and some boats in the harbour of al-Qatlf.1036 On the following
day, the “Highflyer” tried to storm al-Dammam.1037 The Su‘udl garrison,
however, repulsed the attack, killing three men and wounding two officers. 1038
On the 4th of February, the “Highflyer” again shelled the fort of al-Dammam,
but to no great consequence.1039
Because the seriousness of affairs in ‘Uman required him to watch the
situation there, Pelly did not accompany the “Highflyer” to the coast of
al-Hasa. However, he received news of the ignominious result at al-Dammam
with disappointment and dismay. To offset this setback and impress upon the
people of the region the invincibility of British naval power, Pelly carried out
another naval action against the Su‘udl allies, namely the Janabah tribe of
Sur.1040 Owing to a shortage of revenues, the latter had not been able to
comply with British demands for the compensation of earlier property losses.
For this reason (and as punishment for rebelling against Thuwaynl), the
Janabah tribe was to suffer at the hands of the British navy, whose ultimate
aim, along with Masqat, was to eradicate the Su‘udl influence in ‘Uman. On
February 11, 1866, the “Highflyer” attacked and demolished the tribal forts at
Sur, destroying their boats and burning a large quantity of their ship timber as
well.1041
At this point, however, a tragic event upset the plans for a prepared march
and attack on al-Buraymi. Thuwaynl, who had been busy preparing for this
march, was shot to death by his son Salim, at Suhar on February 13, 1866. The
latter, reputed to have had some sympathy for the Su‘udls in al-Buraymi (who !
no doubt wished to be free of Thuwaym’s impending threat), seems to have II
been induced to oppose his father’s policy both on personal grounds and on
account of certain sympathies with disaffected tribal and religious elements.
These elements had become disgusted with Thuwayni’s political and economic
administration over the past few years, and were hoping to put an end to his
rule.
The immediate cause for Salim’s opposition to his father was apparently
related to Thuwaym’s latest design against al-Buraymi. When Thuwaynl
decided to go along with the British-inspired expedition, Salim tried to
convince his father to change his mind and restore relations with the Su‘udi
state.1042 In Salim’s view, the expedition would be cosdy and unnecessary.
Moreover, it would require substantial British help which, in turn, would
subject the ruler of Masqat to further British interference and a gradual
reduction of his own authority. 1043ThuwaynI was not unimpressed by his son’s
point of view, but because the political situation in ‘Uman was so uncertain and
his involvement with the Resident already established, he found it difficult to
disassociate himself and abandon the joint design. For this reason, Salim found
it necessary to kill his father.
Thuwaynl’s death brought the campaign to a halt, and attention shifted to
internal developments within the Masqat! government and to the dynastic
quarrels between the Al Bu Sa‘Id contestants.
Meanwhile, within a few days of Thuwaynl’s death, Pelly received from
al-Riyad the long-awaited reply to the communication he had written prior to
the British attack on the ports of al-Hasa. The Su‘ud! response was expressed
in two letters, both signed by Amir ‘Abd Allah b. Fay$al. One of them, dated
28th January, referred to Pelly’s proposed mediation between al-Riyad and

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