Battle of Faydat Al-Sirr
The Battle of Faydat Al-Sirr was a battle fought by the Founding King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud against the forces of Abdulaziz Ibn Rashid in Qassim Province. It took place in 1904 after King Abdulaziz annexed the Najd territories located south of Qassim.
Preliminaries to the Battle of Faydat Al-Sirr
King Abdulaziz was planning to bring Qassim under his rule. Among his efforts, he sent to the leaders of Al Muhanna and Al Sulaym of Unaizah and Buraydah, who had settled in Kuwait after fleeing Al-Rashid's oppression. King Abdulaziz encouraged them to return and join him in liberating Qassim from Ibn Rashid's rule. Their desire to return to their hometowns aligned with his call, so they set out with a group of supporters, joined the King on his march, and united with his forces.
All reached Al-Zulfi on November 20, 1903, during a year of drought. King Abdulaziz informed the people of Al-Zulfi of his approach and asked for their cooperation. They expressed fear due to Ibn Rashid's proximity and explained that they were bound to him by allegiance, but promised to support King Abdulaziz once Ibn Rashid was defeated. Realizing the timing was not right for an attack, King Abdulaziz withdrew to Riyadh, while Al Muhanna and Al Sulaym settled in Shaqra.
After losing the Najd territories south of Qassim, Abdulaziz Ibn Rashid stayed for some time in Buraydah, where he consolidated defenses and tried to win over the townspeople by showing goodwill and consulting them on measures to secure the area and prevent its capture.
Following several consultations, Ibn Rashid decided to strengthen his detachment in Buraydah under Abdulrahman Bin Dhiban, send another detachment of fifty men to Unaizah under Fuhaid Bin Sabhan, station a force of four hundred fighters in Faydat Al-Sirr under Hussein Bin Jarad, and deploy another detachment of similar size near Unaizah under Majid Al-Hamoud Ibn Rashid.
Events of the Battle of Faydat Al-Sirr
Ibn Rashid felt assured of his arrangements in Qassim and confident that King Abdulaziz had returned to Riyadh. He then moved toward the Iraqi border to secure supplies, rally some supporters in the region, and seek Ottoman assistance with troops, provisions, and funds.
Meanwhile, King Abdulaziz advanced with his forces. After passing through Al-Washm, he received word that Hussein Bin Jarad and his men had encamped at Faydat Al-Sirr. He launched a surprise attack, killing Bin Jarad and many of his detachment. Their money and camels became spoils of war. This occurred on February 15, 1904.
Results of the Battle of Faydat Al-Sirr
The victory of King Abdulaziz Bin Abdulrahman Al Saud at Faydat Al-Sirr was a warning to Ibn Rashid and his allies that they should prepare to face the King across other areas of the region. After the battle, King Abdulaziz returned to Riyadh.
Sources
History of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Al-Saleh Al-Uthaymeen, 2005.