Page 40 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

quarrel took place at Sitrah in al-Bahrayn Island in 1782, resulting in the death
of an Al Khailfah tribesman.204 This incident led the rulers of al-Zubarah to
raid the town of al-Manamah, the capital of al-Bahrayn. In the following year, a
combined force from al-Zubarah, other parts of Qatar, and al-Kuwayt fell
upon al-Bahrayn, occupied it, and annexed it to the Al Khailfah’s territory. ?05
While these developments were taking place in Qatar and al-Bahrayn, the
tribal territory of the Banu Khalid in al-Hasa proper was in the process of being
incorporated into the rising Su‘udl power. Raids on al-Hasa resulted in the
defeat of the Banu Khalid in a decisive battle at the hill of Ghuraymil, with the
subsequent installation of Zayd b. ‘Uray'ir as amir in 1789.206 Another
campaign shortly afterwards placed the entire district under Su‘udl control.
Religious reforms were enacted, domes constructed over certain tombs were
destroyed, and Su‘ud instituted “all the necessary paraphernalia for the moral
regeneration of the benighted inhabitants, including the provision of the
mosques and schools, and the appointment of suitable teachers to explain the
basic principles of Islam and Unitarism”.207 In the meantime, reconnaissance
was also being made into the Qatar peninsula. A series of quick and minor
military operations was directed towards various localities in the district to
display Su‘udl strength and military tactics. These expeditions served to
frighten the inhabitants and to scare and dispirit the opposition. Two of these
expeditions, sent from central Arabia, were led by the Su‘udl commander
Sulayman b. ‘Ufaysan, who raided the tribal areas and took some of their
property, cattle, and camels.208
It was, however, not until the subjugation of al-Hasa that the Su‘udi forces
ventured to invade the region and bring it under their direct control. The
possession of al-Hasa was a great asset for the Su‘udl state. It was immediately
converted into a base for further expansion in the directions of Qatar, al-
Bahrayn, al-Kuwayt and ‘Uman. Al-Zubarah, as well as other parts of the
peninsula of Qatar, served as a refuge for those who had opposed Su‘udl rule in
al-Hasa and who continued to plot against it.209 Unless these opponents were
pursued and their shelter evacuated, the administration could expect to face a
serious threat. Preparations were therfore made for an offensive war.
Despite the occupation of al-Qatlf and al-‘Uqayr, the government of al-Hasa
chose not to employ boats for deepening its inroads on the coast. Naval
operations, at least for the time being, did not seem practically advantageous.
The coast was monopolized by greater naval powers, none of which was willing
to work with the Su‘udls, whom they regarded as deadly enemies. Moreover,
the Su'udis had traditionally practised a desert warfare dependent on great
mobility.210 Their indigenous warriors fought well on land, but had no
experience whatsoever in seafaring. Thus, their expansion beyond al-Hasa
continued along traditional lines.
The fishing hamlet of Huwaylah, the home town of Al Musallam and the
largest in the area, was at first pillaged and later occupied.211 A combined force
from Najd and the garrisons of al-Hasa marched along the coast and seized
‘Amayir island near the shore.212 During these operations, diverse tribal
elements from Qatar such as Nu'aym213 and Matarlsh of the Banu Khalid
joined the Su‘udl forces. With the occupation of the towns of Qatar, namely
Furayhah, Yusufiyah and Ruwayhah, the region became a Su‘udl territory.
The only place of consequence which had thus far remained independent of
Su‘udl control in Qatar was al-Zubarah.

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