Battle of Riyadh (1902)

Battle of Riyadh

Date	13 January 1902
Location	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Result	Ibn Saud successfully captured Riyadh Establishment of Emirate of Riyadh Death of Ibn Ajlan

Belligerents

Emirate of Ha'il

House of Saud

Commanders and leaders

Ibn Ajlan †

Abdul Aziz ibn Saud

Strength

Casualties and losses

30 dead

7 dead

Unification of Saudi Arabia

Riyadh (1902) Dilam Qassim (1903-1907) Jarrab Kanzaan Hajla Hurmula Ha'il (1921) Kuwait (1921) Transjordan 2nd Hejaz Ikhwan Revolt

The Battle of Riyadh was a minor battle of the Unification War between Rashidi and Ibn Saud rebels. It occurred on 13 January 1902, in Masmak Castle in Riyadh, the capital of present day Saudi Arabia.

In late 1901, following the end of the Second Saudi State the Al Saud clan was forced to move to Kuwait after Riyadh had fallen to the Al-Rashid family. Abdul-Aziz ibn Saud head of the clan requested supplies and men from the Kuwaiti Emir to retake his home town. The Kuwaiti prince, who was also involved in several wars with Rashidis, acceded to Ibn Saud's request and gave him horses and arms.

In January 1902, Ibn Saud and his men returned to Riyadh and successfully assaulted the castle. He captured and killed Ibn Ajlan (Chief of Riyadh) after morning prayers, and Abdul Aziz held Ibn Ajlan's head and threw it to the people of Riyadh [1].