Battle of Riyadh (1902)

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

Battle of Riyadh
Al Masmak Castle
Date 13 January 1902 Location Riyadh, Emirate of Ha'il Result Ibn Saud successfully captured Riyadh Establishment of Emirate of Riyadh
Belligerents
Emirate of Ha'il	House of Saud
Commanders and leaders
Ibn Ajlan †	Abdul Aziz ibn Saud
Strength
80	68
Casualties and losses
30 dead	7 dead
1,200 dead[1]

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.[2]

Abdul Aziz' victory marked the start of three decades of fighting that would ultimately see him unite nearly all of central Arabia under his rule. It also marked the beginning of the Third Saudi State, which evolved into present-day Saudi Arabia.