Page 133 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

and virtually eliminated the last vestiges of their influence in the area.
Although the Ottoman interference which led to the annexation of al-Hasa
to the Ottoman dominions appeared to be in response to a request for help from
‘Abd Allah b. Faysal in subduing his rebellious brother, the Ottomans had for
some time been considering regaining their former provinces in the peninsula
to compensate for their territorial losses in Europe.1112 The construction and
opening of the Suez Canal in late 1869 helped the Ottomans to use their naval
power more efficiently and to put their decision into practice both in al-Yaman
and in al-Hasa.1113
In the spring of 1870, Su‘ud b. Faysal, exploiting both the animosity of the
‘Ujman tribes toward Amir ‘Abd Allah and the aspiration of the Banu Khalid
to regain supremacy over their homeland, won these elements over to his side
and resumed his armed struggle against the present regime in al-Riyad. With
his supporters, Su‘ud besieged al-Hufuf and forced its governor to capitulate.
Later, at Judah, a watering place near al-Hufuf, Su‘ud defeated the forces
‘Abd Allah had sent to repulse the assault on al-Hufuf, taking their leader,
Muhammad b. Faysal, as prisoner to al-Qatlf.1114 Encouraged by these
successes, Su‘ud marched toward Najd and, on the way, engaged in a series of
skirmishes with ‘Abd Allah’s forces. Finally, in early 1871, Su‘ud took al-
Riyad. 1115
‘Abd Allah fled the capital and vainly tried to enlist the support of the chiefs
of ‘Unayzah and Ha’il, both of whom were in favour of weakening the central
government in al-Riyad and assisting the disintegration of the Su‘udl state.
The one saw in ‘Abd Allah’s fall and in the turmoil in the districts of Najd a
chance to disavow Riyad authority and establish his own rule, while the other,
similarly, did not want to miss an opportunity to consolidate his independent
power and prepare for further expansion at the expense of the rivalry and strife
within the Su‘udi family. ‘Abd Allah was therefore forced to seek outside
assistance. He despatched an associate, ‘Abd al-‘Az!z b. Butayn, with a letter
and presents to Midhat Pasha, the wall of Baghdad, inviting him to interfere in
the conflict against Su‘ud, and offering tribute and allegiance to the Ottomans
in return.1116 The invitation coincided agreeably with Ottoman plans for
restoring their authority in Arabia under the ambitious expansionist
administration of Midhat Pasha.
Although he was anxious to respond positively to ‘Abd Allah’s request.
Midhat Pasha did not respond immediately. Instead, he posted spies in al-Hasa
to report on the conditions of the district, the reaction of the local inhabitants
to the warring between the local factions, and the economic and military
potential of the neighbouring localities.1117 Moreover, in order to provide a
legal basis for the forthcoming expedition to al-Hasa and the possible
encroachment upon eastern and southeastern Arabia, Midhat obtained
authorization from the Porte for his proceedings.1118 Shortly before
embarking, he announced his good intentions toward the inhabitants of al-
Hasa in a manifesto explaining that Najd and its dependencies were part and
parcel of the Ottoman empire and that their inhabitants were subject to the
Sultan, the leader of the Muslim community.1119 The purpose of the
expedition, Midhat explained, was to relieve the districts of disturbances and
strife and to preserve Muslim unity. He therefore urged the people in Najd and
al-Hasa to cooperate with the Sultan’s army, assuring the protection of their
lives and property. Midhat also strongly criticized Su‘ud*s revolt against his

127
!