Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al Saud: Founder and First King of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia Joins In

King Abdulaziz got Riyadh back and started expanding his control across the Arabian Peninsula.

It was a slow process of military wars, political deals and oaths of fealty. He spent about thirty-two years, the source reports, trying to unite most of the areas that would eventually make up the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Central Arabia and Qassi

Once Riyadh had been rebuilt, Abdulaziz ruled over a number of districts around the capital. His troops marched on Qassim next.

There were several battles in this period. By 1906 the fighting with Ibn Rashid had brought the whole Qassim region under the power of the Al Saud.Al-Ahsa & al-Qatif

Abdulaziz also aspired to develop in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula.

In 1913 he conducted an expedition to Al-Ahsa. His men entered the area and the Ottoman forces eventually surrendered and withdrew for Iraq. Subsequently, Abdulaziz took control of the remaining parts of Al-Ahsa.

Asir

Aseer in the south-west of the Arabian Peninsula was another significant stage in the unification effort.

For the first time in 1920 Abdulaziz's army invaded Abha. Control of the province was later exchanged during his wars abroad, but Aseer was returned to Saudi sovereignty in 1922 under his son, Prince Faisal.

Sleet

The battle for Hail was a war between Al Saud and the Al Rashid family.

Military activity lasted during the 1910s and early 1920s. Eventually, the inclusion of Hail further solidified Abdulaziz’s hold on the northern and central regions of the Arabian Peninsula.

Hedjaz

Another large component throughout the process of unification was the Hejaz region.

Saudi army seized Makkah without resistance in 1924 and later King Abdulaziz invaded the city. Jeddah was besieged and Makkah and Madinah were brought under his authority.

The Treaty of Jeddah was signed in 1925 and finalised the incorporation of Hejaz into the Saudi state. In January 1926 Abdulaziz was declared King of Hejaz.

...[ Continue to next page ] By: Ruchi Barwal