Battle of Al-Sarif
The Battle of Al-Sarif was the first attempt by the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud to regain rule of Riyadh in 1901. It was also his first military operation, resulting from the tension between Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah, Amir of Kuwait, and Abdulaziz Bin Rashid, governor of Hail. The attempt was characterized by careful planning and provided valuable knowledge of Riyadh’s military situation.
Causes of the Battle of Al-Sarif
Since King Abdulaziz settled in Kuwait, he was thinking of recapturing Riyadh and the rule of his forefathers there. His sister, Nourah Bint Abdulrahman, had a role in encouraging him, as she held an important place in King Abdulaziz's life. He respected her and would call upon her, saying, "I am Nourah's brother." During his stay in Kuwait, King Abdulaziz witnessed local and global events that contributed to enriching his experience. He also closely observed political affairs and international relations of that period, from which he realized the importance of the Arabian Peninsula. This led him to decide to recapture Riyadh and to study the plans and opportunities that would enable him to do so.
The Battle of Al-Sarif came as a result of the tension that had lasted for years between the Amir of Kuwait and the governor of Hail, due to the presence of Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal and his family in Kuwait at that time. King Abdulaziz was in contact with his supporters in Najd, who complained to him about what they saw as injustice under Ibn Rashid's rule and urged him to return. In August 1900, King Abdulaziz received a letter from his supporters in Najd expressing their readiness to support him in his efforts to recapture Riyadh.
Events of the Battle of Al-Sarif
As a result of correspondence with the people of Najd, Imam Abdulrahman went to Rawdat Sudair and attacked some tribes loyal to Ibn Rashid. On his return from Najd, Sheikh Mubarak sent him a messenger asking him to wait outside Kuwait until he could join him with his army. They met, then set out together toward Hafr Al-Batin, moved south to Al-Suman, crossed the Ad-Dahna’ Desert, and finally camped at Ghadeer Al-Shawki, a valley north of Riyadh.
At Ghadeer Al-Shawki, King Abdulaziz led a force of about one thousand fighters. With his father's approval, he advanced toward Riyadh, reaching it two days later. There, he confronted Abdulrahman Al-Dabaan, commander of Ibn Rashid’s garrison. The two sides clashed until King Abdulaziz forced them to retreat inside the city and take refuge in Al-Masmak Palace.
King Abdulaziz besieged Ibn Rashid’s garrison in Al-Masmak Palace for forty days, during which several clashes occurred. He began implementing a plan to dig a tunnel leading into the fortress, but he stopped when he received news of the adverse developments at the Battle of Al-Sarif and the defeat of Sheikh Mubarak’s army. This forced him to lift the siege of Al-Masmak Palace and withdraw from Riyadh.
End of the Battle of Al-Sarif
The armies clashed at a site between Al-Sarif and Al-Turufiyyah in Qassim Province on March 17, 1901. After a long day of fighting, the battle ended in the defeat of Sheikh Mubarak Al Sabah's army.