1. Kuwait as a military solution
Bani Khalid were the overlords of eastern Arabia and their domain stretched from Kuwait to Qatar. They needed a military post in the desert road between Basra and Alhassa in the eastern province of modern day Saudi Arabia. Around 1613 Muhammad (Alaskah) Ibn Arai’ar sheikh of Bani Khalid built his kout (fort) situated near water in a small fishing community in Qurain[1]. This may have been in the area in Kuwait City known today as Wattiya .So Kuwait came to existence as a military solution in the 17th century.
The Utoob, a federation of Arab families did not come to Kuwait in the 17th century for no other reason than security after Aldawaser tribe; their rival opponents drove them out from their homeland in Najed[2].
With permeation from Bani Khaled the Utoob settled in Qurain Under the rule of AlSubah family. The town enjoyed relative security and thrived. New trades developed to serve travelers, merchants, Bedouins and the community itself.
The Kuwait community could be divided into two groups of people. One was composed of the settled people, concentrated in Kuwait town and villages like Aljahra in the north and other villages along the coast in the south. Others were nomadic tribes living in tents. Some of the latter were partially nomadic, others primarily nomadic and frequented mainly the town of Kuwait, but also to the other nearby towns of Arabian Peninsula.
Kuwait's economy depended mainly on maritime activities: trading voyages, shipbuilding and pearl diving along with its camel caravans traveling regularly to Baghdad, Damascus and Najed. Kuwait’s fleets became one of the most impressive in the Arabian Gulf. Sea voyages started in September; they started from Basra with dates, and traveled down to India, discharging the dates, taking cargos to East Africa. The winds brought them back about the beginning of April, and then they sailed again to the pearl banks and didn't come back until late September.
2. Riqqa maritime battle
Kuwait military history shows that war to this country was always just over the horizon, and the war history of Kuwait dated back to Riqqa maritime battle in 1783 during sheikh Abdullah bin Subah reign 1764-1815.
Bani Kaab were and still the most important of the Arabian tribes in Persia, which were also the largest. Their numerous clans inhabited Bushire and Bandar Rig up to around Ahwaz to the north. Bani Kaab were a maritime trading community in Bandar Rig[3]. Their rival for this role was the growing maritime power of Kuwait and Zubara in Qatar peninsula. Ali Murad Khan of Asfahan constantly spurred the Arabs of the Persian coast to put an end to the rising Utoob power both in Kuwait and Zubara.
To create a cleavage between Zubara and Kuwait Shaikh Nasr bin Madhkur of Bushire made a marriage proposal-asking sheikh Abdullah bin Subah for his daughter MARIAM to marry his Son[4]. Using this peaceful way was a reason to achieve at least one of his two goals, for if sheikh Abdullah accepted the marriage proposal then he succeeded in separating the two allies. And if they refused then it was an insult and a reason for war. Shaikh Nasr marriage proposal was taken by Kuwait as a very stiff demand that was unacceptable.
Mobilizing his people so they would not to be taken unaware sheikh Abdullah bin Subah, prepared for Bani Kaab invasion. When their large fleet that eclipsed the horizon, he gave orders to divide his fleet into two groups: The first group of his ships were ready to take away to safety the women and children. This was done to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. The other group consisted of the fighters who were determined to fight to victory or martyrdom as sheikh Abdullah instructed them to meet the enemy at seat to prevent them from overwhelming the town.
Kuwaiti and Kaabi Fleets engaged off Failaka Island, The attacking force of Bani Kaab was surprised by this attack, and the fast movements of Kuwaiti smaller ships were an advantage to them. Bani Kaab were forced to halt their large ship advancement when the Kuwaiti used their ships to block their paths in the shallow waters, Shaikh Nasrs fleet was exposed one by one to massive attacks from all directions[5]. Kuwaiti fought a bitter battle against their enemy. The flagship of Kaabi fleet captained by Shaikh Nasr was destroyed and the rest of Kaabi fleet withdrew leaving the battle after the shameful defeat.
Ships, weapons and large quantities of ammunition, were captured, also some large canons which the Kuwaitis erected to use defending their town and as marks for their First Victory. After this victory and under these circumstances not only the Utoob of Kuwait but also their allies Utoob of Zubara became so strong that they were no longer afraid of Bani Kaab or their threats to pay tribute to Bani Kaab any longer. This battle marked the beginning of the disintegration of the power of the State of Bani Kaab[6]. And it was the first invasion and victory in Kuwait history.
3. Threats from the desert
North eastern Arabian Peninsula was continually at war or stood in the brink of it, and We need to mention that in all its history, Kuwait had suffered from aggressive attacks from neighboring powers, those attacks took two shapes: tribal raids from the surrounding desert against Kuwait tribes and ended usually by losing camels and sheep along with some lives. The small-scale raids were normally faced by counter raids from Kuwait ruler units to restore the security and peace for the Bedouin belonging to Kuwait. The other threats came from larger and more organized sources like the rulers of other Arabian Emarits in Najed or from the other side of the gulf. Threats also came from the confederate tribes that were sometimes large enough to be twice the size of Kuwait power it self.
The term "Wahabism” was used first by its enemy’s ,it refers to Muhammad Ibn Abdulwahhab 1703-1792 of Nejd in the Arabian Peninsula. The movement is called Muwahedeen by Its followers and it was meant to purify Islam by returning all Muslims to the original principles of Islam. Based on a strictly literal interpretation of scripture and early Islamic tradition, An alliance between Ibn Abd al-Wahhab and Muhammad Bin Saud1726 - 1765 and later by his son Abdul-Aziz 1765 - 1802 caused the movement to spread in areas that bin Saud conquered. The alliance laid the basis that shaped the political and military history of Arabia, this alliance created a movement that became the dominant force in Arabia since the 1800’s. With this Religious movement Saudi extended their rule beyond Najed and into Hejjaz and they attacked Iraq as well. Kuwait people had fiercely resisted annexation by neighboring powers regardless of the reasons but it was their turn to be the new victims of Muwahedeen
During Sheikh Abdullah bin Subah reign 1764-1815, Abdul-Aziz raided and attacked Kuwait with a huge military army but failed to take it in 1788, Abdul-Aziz then marched north until they besieged Baghdad and Karbalaa. In1792, Muhammad bin AbdulWahhab died and Saud bin Abdul-Aziz 1813 - 1817 succeeded his father. The Saudi Amirs then proceeded to attack Iraq again, and in one of his campaigns he camped at Aljahra then advanced to attack Kuwait during sheikh Abdullah reign. To force the Kuwaitis to surrender from inside their defensive walled town, Saud had set his camp on AlShamiah water wells so he could prevent Kuwait from reaching their only source of water and source of wood necessary for fire. By Water from Failakah Island, and wood from Basra, the Kuwaitis managed to bring their needs by the sea. Saud did not know about this, and his hopes of occupying Kuwait went with the winds when the Kuwaitis sent him bags of water and loads of wood on the back of donkeys and camels. He lifted the blockade and went home[7].
On his attempts to expand the Saudi hegemony over all the surrounding territories Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz sent in 1793 his general Ibrahim Bin Aufisan to attack Kuwait again. But the walled town resisted his attack with minor losses in camels and sheep. Moreover Saud failure did not stop him from making another attack on Kuwait by his other general Manaa Abu Rejleen of alajman tribe with an army from Alhassa province, this time more than 20 men from Kuwait were killed.
A requirement of any security system is that it be able to reduce, prevent, or meet potential threats . With this in mind Abdullah bin Subah decided to attack the Saudis. In 1796 a Kuwaiti unit that consisted of 20 cameleers and some horsemen was led by Mushary Bin Abdullah Al hussen. He raided the Zeab tribe who were in alliance with Ibn Saud, and took their camels in revenge of the Saudi attack[8].
The first threats to Kuwait security came first from the sea during Riqqa maritime battle, and then came from the south during the Muwahedeens expansion. During the time of sheikh Jaber bin Abdullah in 1815-1859, threats continued to come from the north. Sheikh Bandar AlSadun chief of Almuntafig tribal confederation thought that Kuwait was an easy target after parts of the town’s wall had fallen. Luckily the town’s people knew their enemy’s intention and managed to rebuild the fallen parts in short time. It took Sheikh Bandar AlSadun another year to advance again towards Kuwait to set a blockade around the town from his camps on MALAH water wells near present day AlMAGWAA oil fields between Alahmadi and Kuwait international airport.
Like they did a hundred years ago in Riqqa maritime battle in 1783, the Kuwaiti use the same military tactic they used before. One group of their men would be ready on ships to take a way to safety the women and children rather than allowing them to fall into enemy hands, the rest would stand to fight the enemy defended by the wall, and from Kuwait Abdullrahman Bin Duwerij was sent to AlSadun to inform him about Kuwait’s war preparations and AlSadun took his old friends advice and returned to Iraq [9].
The second maritime battle in Kuwait history took place during sheikh Jabber bin Abdullah, but this time Kuwait fleet was the one invading the enemy’s land. Alnassar tribe in the other side of the gulf attacked and killed one of AlDabous family members. Sheikh Jabber knew that he had to protect his country’s interests and his country’s tradesmen; he raided Alnassar tribe in their homeland Alburaim with a large fleet. When Kuwait ships were sighted Alnassar gathered their forces by the beach awaiting the Kuwaiti fleet singing their war cries,and when Kuwait crew prepared for action Jaber’s primary considerations then were their lives, and his decision was to withdrew away from the cost waiting for a better opportunity. Without orders and by a sword on his teeth SALIM one of Jaber’s men jumped swimming to the beach to attack the enemy, forcing the rest of the Kuwaiti fleet to folow his steps and attack Alnassar . As soon as the guns were fired the actions that followed were almost indescribable. Confusion, Smoke, noise and death, the beach was hell on earth while the battle lasted. Whatever happened in the battle itself wasn’t recorded by local Kuwait sources other than Bedouin poem verses, telling the ones who didn’t participate in the expedition to blame themselves for not wining any reward that came from the raid and victory[10].
By the early 1800s, Kuwait established a degree of political, military and economic stability, at the same time and after six centuries of domination; the Ottoman Empire started to crumble. The Ottomans sought help from sheikh Jaber bin Abdullah 1815-1859 to regain Basra and put down the civil disorder that was caused by Almuntafiq tribes and their allies from Bani kaab and the fleet of the Sultan of Muscat. Bani Kaab captured AlMuhamara the capital of Arabstan province in Persia in 1838, and it was only by sheikh Jabers fleet that the Ottomans could regain their power[11].
Sheikh Jaber bin Abdullah dealt with the Ottomans with close relations successfully and rose to aid them militarily as we mentioned above. This had already brought the British interest in his country. In 1820 the British tried to persuade him, sheikh Jaber’s response was that the ottomans are our neighbors and brothers in Islam, and all we need now comes from Basra not India [12]. Going beyond ottomans Hegemony was not the main issue for Sheikh Jaber. It is clear that he based Kuwait’s relation with the ottomans not only for Islam brotherhood but he linked it to greater economic, political, and security cooperation for the interest of Kuwait.
Before the fall of the second Saudi stat, the threats to Kuwait security renewed again with less aggression; Faisal Bin Turki Al Saud who had been imprisoned in Cairo After the Egyptian forces defeat the al-Saud , successfully escaped In 1843, he returned and reclaimed the Saudi throne,and the period of his rule (1843-65) marked the high point of the second Saudi state. Faisal’s reign ended with his death in 1865. He was followed by his son Abdallah (1866-70, 1875-89). This period in the history of the second Saudi state was marked with internal fighting between Abdallah and his brother Saud , during their civil war, AlAjman tribe were in Saud camp .
After his initial victory against his brother and Alajman Abdullah Bin Faisal resumed his continuous infighting until he weakened them. They took MALAH in Kuwait territory as a refuge and he attacked them there, then they came to Kuwait town in1866. Subah Bin Jaber 1866-1859 was in his first year as ruler of Kuwait, when an envoy from Abdullah al Faisal misused the words and said (your Boss Abdullah al Faisal is ordering you to drive Alajman tribe out of Kuwait territory). Members of Kuwait ruling Family wanted to kill the envoy to make Abdullah Bin Faisal understand that they were his equals, and could fight and defeat him,and Alajman were under their protection. Local sources say that Abdullah Bin Faisal withdrew his forces and was sorry for the misunderstanding caused by the envoy, and these sources stated that he was only after attacking his enemy Alajman not attacking Kuwait[13].
With Almuntafiq and Aldhafeer tribes, AlAjman regrouped again in KAZMAH between the sea and MUTLA ridge in Kuwait territory. Abdullah Bin Faisal attacked them by surprise. They were caught and trapped between the rip tides and the overwhelming swords without the necessary swimming skills. The Bedouins from Alajman and their allies saw the battle developing into a major massacre for them, RAKAN the Legendary Sheikh of Alajman with his horsemen made their way cutting Abdullah Bin Faisal’s army into two and reaching safety. One of the Bloodiest Massacres in Arabian peninsulas recorded history known as ALTABAA[14] or ALTENA[15] took place that day in1867 when the rest of Alajman were killed.
Until Sheikh Mubarak al-Sabah reign known as Mubarak the great 1896-1915 ,we notice that Kuwaitis were generally in good relations with the Ottomans, the Turks sought help from Kuwait, and Their forces participated with the ottomans in many actions up and down the Arabian Gulf. Sheikh Jaber bin Abdullah bin Subah 1859- 1815 joined forces with the ottomans and regain Basra and put down the civil disorder that was going on there. By this, Ruler of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber gained prestige among Arab rulers.
Abdullah bin Subah 1866-1892 developed close ties with the Ottomans, even taking the Ottoman title, albeit largely as a formality, of provincial governor kaimakam. In 1871, the Kuwaiti Ruler joined energetic Turkish Midhat Pasha in the military campaign that conquered Alhassa province of modern day Saudi Arabia. Abdullah bin Subah ordered the Kuwaiti fleet of300-400 ships, to carry the ottomans forces from Basra. He also sent his brother Mubarak alSubah with a tribal army along with five infantry Turkish brigades, an artillery, and a thousand cavalry from al Muntafiq tribe. They proceeded to move along the coast to meet the fleet upon their landing in Ras tanura and won the battle against Saud Alfaisal Bin Saud and his allies from Alajman tribe[16].
4. I’m the wall
The single most important figure in Kuwait military history is Sheikh Mubarak bin Subah 1896-1915. The main military events in his life represent in a clear scope his search for security, for him self and for his home. He assumed power by force and he feared every military force even a small Bedouin raid against his tribes. During Mubarks reign Kuwait had the strongest army in northeastern Arabia with capabilities for a long- range power projection in attacks. Kuwait town had no walls during his reign, when the idea of building one was suggested to him he said (IM THE WALL). When he died in 1915 his people believed that his death could potentially have serious implications for the security and stability of Kuwait and believed that they needed a wall.
Before assuming power he was the lord of Kuwait desert. As Amir of the army and the desert, he restored peace to Kuwait without a single singe of hesitation. In his efforts to cut the Kuwaiti supplies to the Ottomans occupying Alhassa, Saud Alfaisal and his allies from Alajman tribe advanced to Kuwait territory threatening to attack the town During Abdullah bin Subah 1866-1892 reign. But the invading forces retreated after seeing Mubaraks and his army’s readiness[17].
The family feud between Al Saud accelerated the decline of their rule in Arabia. However, Muhammad bin Rashid, who controlled the area around the Shammar Mountains, had been gaining strength on their expense and expanding his influence in northern Najed. In 1876 Ibn Rashid, tried to expand his influence to include Kuwait. He attacked Alawazim Kuwaiti tribe on Subihiah water wells in Alwafra area, and Kuwait army commanded by Mubarak advanced to the enemy, but Ibn Rashid retreated with Alawazim camels and sheep to his territory before Mubarak and his army could reach them.
Since throughout their history, hospitality and generosity had always been an Arab virtue. In 1892 when Mubarak knew that Muteer leader Majed AlDewish came to camp in Kuwait territory, and because on Mubarak the principal burden of hospitality falls ,Mubarak sent him bags of rice and dates ,but After a few days AlDewish attacked the Kuwaiti tribe Alawazim and took their camels. When he attacked them sheikh Dueejj AlSubah was camping near them and he lost his camels too[18].
Military alliance seems very old in Kuwait’s quest for security,Mubarak called on his allies tribes, among them was the looted Alawazim commanded by their sheikh Ibn Musaad and sections of Anezah tribe. With his preparations completed Mubarak advanced to AlRudineat attacking his enemy at early sun raise, first with Anezah cavalry. But AlDewish quickly rode for a defensive position and managed to defeat the attackers. With Anezah cavalry in retreat Mubarak give orders to the whole army to attack, and after three hours of fighting the Kuwaiti army drove the enemy to flee for their lives without their camels[19].
Tribal structures were never permanent in Arabia,Structures changed all the time, depending on the ever-changing relationship between sheikh of the tribe and his tribesmen. Sections turned into independent tribes at times of weak centralized authority, and confederations turned into single units at times of strong leadership.
In late 1892 it seems that Kuwait considered military intervention as one of the means to safeguard Kuwait interests in the tribal affairs around its territory. When the authority of Ibn Suwait the ALDhafeer Tribal confederation sheikh was threaten by one of his sub-Sections Sheikh Ibn Sumeet. Mubarak led an army during his brother Muhammad’s reign 1892-1896 in support of the tribe Sheikh Ibn Suwait and restored his authority after a short battle[20].
A real cooperative security system between Kuwait and the ottomans continued when sheikh Mubarks was the desert Amir. The ottomans Resorted to the expedient of setting a Bedouin to catch a Bedouin, they continued to seek Kuwait’s military participations especially in their expeditions against Arabian tribes. The Ottomans were present in Alhssa province uninterruptedly from 1871 until 1915. and continued to claim sovereignty over Alhssa desert without the strong authority to support the claims. Since the Bedouin tribes could hold most of those places at their mercy, the tribes along the Arabian Gulf cost from Kuwait boarders to Qatar continued to role that area. Among their activities was raiding desert caravans. In 1891 an open rift developed between Sheikh Jassim Bin Thani of Qatar and the Turks over the Turkish plan to establish a customs post at Doha and to appoint a Turkish assistant kaimakam. In 1892 Bedouin raids escalated to a point where they became intolerable. The Murrah, Bani Hajir,AlAjman and the Manasir were perhaps the most feared of all the tribes there With orders from Qatar strong ruler Sheikh Jassim Bin Thani, those tribes without AlAjman attacked an Ottoman government caravan guarded by 25 soldiers. All soldiers were killed and the raiders looted 50000 liras along with merchandises worth of 20000 liras,the Turkish sovereignty and authority was lost in Alhssa province. In order to deal with the problem, the Vali of Basra arrived at Doha in February 1893, traveling overland accompanied by Turkish cavalry and troops. Sheikh Jassim, who was camping in the interior, refused to meet him but sent his brother Ahmad to negotiate,but the Turks seized Ahmad. Hafez Pasha Governor of Alhassa province sent a force to Wajba to compel Jassim's attendance. However, Sheikh Jassim’s Bedouin army ambushed these troops on 3 April 1893 and 500 Turkish soldiers were killed and more were wounded. Mubarak advanced to Qatar and succeeded in strengthen his army with AlAjman tribe[21]. But Hafez Pasha did not wait for Mubarak and his large Bedouin army to support them. Mubarak decided to take a slow advance to avoid a conflict that wasn’t in Kuwait best interest[22] and saved his reputation from the shame of killing other Arabs for the Turks sake.
Raid was one of the oldest tactics of warfare throughout all Arabs history. To Bedouins it was their lifestyle. A tribe one day raiding the other, stealing off with their camels, in the knowledge that before too long their victims would mount a counter-raid to take back what was taken from them and even more. Each tribe is a separate nation with its own rights of peace and war, and its own political independence[23]. To Bedouins another tribe is a potential target as long as they were not in an alliance, regardless of that tribe commitment with other tribes or ruler in the province. with this tactic AlSaeed a subsection of Aldhafeer tribe swooped down from the desert in 1893 and made a small-scale raid on Kuwait territory taking camels from the tribes their. And Mubarak had to counter-raid them and restore peace[24].
After the death of Faisal bin Turki,Al Saud in 1865 and the conflict between his sons Abdullah and Saud. The Ottoman obtained from Abdullah an admission of their suzerainty over Central Arabia. This Ottoman involvement in the area confirmed the division between control of the sea by the British and of the land by the Ottoman, But in realty the ottoman and the British have failed to furnish practical ideas on how to improve or replace the current security arrangement between them in land or sea in Alhassa province.
It is important to note that even after the battle of Wajba 1883 the ottoman were still responsible for maintaining order and preventing piracy and raids along the Arabian Gulf cost, Alhassa has remained dangerous to its peoples and to the rest of the region even as other regions have become more secure, All that means that Gulf security in general is not a simple matter of great power hegemony.
Zeed Bin Muhammed from Bani hajir tribe became a dangerous pirate in the Arabian Gulf in a unique way. For he and his tribesmen used to swim or sail in small boats and attack the ships sailing close to the cost. Not only attacking Indian British ships but also Arab ships too, including the ones belonging to Kuwait[25], and In spite of the British strong protests the ottomans failed to prevent his piracy.
Following their arrival in Bahrain in 1783, the Al-Khalifah were divided into two factions, Al-Salman and Al-Abdullah, they fought each other and Al-Salman defeated Al-Abdullah to become the sole rulers of Bahrain. As one historian wrote “Piracy, like beauty, often lies in the eyes of the beholder. ". Sheikh Ahmad Bin Salman Al-Khalifah, followed the steps of Bani hajir in piracy, his mother was from Bani hajir tribe it self. Due to a quarrel with his family Al-Khalifah rulers of Bahrain he targeted their ships, along with the Kuwait ships. He posed a sea-denial threat in the Gulf. Britain avoided major Conflicts on land but kept an eye on the security of the sea in the Gulf area, they succeeded in capturing Ahmad, they sentenced him for 15 year in prison but the piracy continued by his followers from Bani hajir.
For the purpose of preventing piracy and protecting Kuwait trading ships and camel caravans’ routes, Mubarak immediately took the appropriate action and proceeded in 1894 to attack Bani hajir not in the sea where the British and ottomans failed but in their homeland in Alhassa province desert . He finally succeeded in disciplining Bani hajir tribe after several battles in Alhassa and al Qateef[26].
Every time the Turkish authority in Basra failed to catch or punish a Bedouin tribe, they seek Kuwait army as their long arm in the desert, and because every tribe in Iraq must pay zakat or tribute to the government collectors Kuwait had to be the way to force them. In 1894 Suleman Almansour AlSadun Sheikh of AlMuntafiq tribal confederation refused to do so. AlMuntafiq tribe moved to Kuwait territory Near Jabal Sanam, and the Turks Governor Hamdi Pasha in Basra asked Kuwait to catch Suleman AlSadun and to send him to Basra in chains, and When Mubarak with his army reached Safwan, he decided that going to war against Almuntafiq tribe wasn’t in Kuwaits best interests, but he was forced to obey his brothers Muhammad orders and to show the Turks that he was capable of carrying out the task. Mubarak in a secret move managed to send one of his men to Suleman AlSadun Sheikh of Almuntafiq, warning him not to advance in the direction of Kuwait army, but to return to Iraq territory to avoid a battle between two Arab brothers. When Suleman took the advice, Mubarak wrote to Hamdi Pasha informing him that Suleman retreated from clashing with Kuwait army and he is not in his army’s reach. The Turks were pleased with this, and Mubarak received a thankful letter for his effort in helping the ottomans Government[27].
Sheikh Mubarak the Great 1896 –1915 came to power in a violet coup d’etat in 1896 against his brothers and sought British support against Ottoman fleet and Kuwait came into the British sphere of influence in 1899. The Ottomans were backing sons and allies of Mubarak's brothers. He established modern Kuwait; He was extremely strong and smart. Skillfulness, political awareness and experience in dealing with events were characteristics of his policies. He was able to face up to constant imperialistic ambition. He also had the ability to utilize everything for the welfare of Kuwait. His impact was obvious in his success in subduing the Bedouins[28], in battles with their tribes, and in his ability to win their support against his outside enemies or rivals during assuming power. He also achieved a great degree of balance in Kuwaiti relations with the world. He gave a special character to Kuwait, enabling it to make independent decisions. This led to strengthening its position among others; turning it from coveted poor town into an effective political entity, with established boundaries and activities in the international arena. Mubarak the Great spared no effort in serving Kuwait. For the sake of Kuwait, he established a strong administration and an international standing from which the progress of a modern Kuwait began[29].
During the 19th century, Britain's espousal of the integrity of the Ottoman Empire was based on British determination to keep Russia out, Mubarak was deeply suspicious of Turkey and was convinced that Constantinople planned to annex Kuwait. At the same time it is apparent that Great Britain was concerned with Russian French and German interests in Kuwait. Then later, it was Germany the British were concerned of more than the rest, and it was Germany that was threatening Britain land Communications link, and its lifeline to India. And that’s when Britain turned to ally herself with Russia, in a shift of allegiance which led to the line-up of military forces in World War I.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Germany was the only major European power that had acquired no Ottoman territory or established significant privileges. Subsequently, German aid to the Turkish Empire brought direct benefits to Germany. Germany trained the Turkish army and received many commercial concessions including the concession for the Anatolian Railway, thus extending the railway eastward from Constantinople, to become the Berlin-Baghdad Railway that well end at northern Kuwait.
Britain was keen to keep 1899 treaty with Kuwait confidential and promised Mubarak British support. Sheikh Mubarak had secured Britain's guarantee of Kuwait's territorial integrity and independence. The treaty marked the beginning of the special defense relationship between Britain and Kuwait, and in return, he promised not to give away territory to, take support from or negotiate with any other foreign power without British consent and by that he gave Britain control of Kuwait's foreign policy[30].
The first crises between Mubarak and the ottomans happened shortly after he took power. The Turkish government sent in febuerary 1897 aquarantine officer to station in Kuwait. Mubarak actions often had him walking a tightrope so he didn’t give them a reason to have the disagreement they were looking for, instead he showed all the obedience they wanted and managed to have the title of kaimakam of Kuwait. And in September 1899 a Turkish Harbor master was appointed by Hamdi Pasha of Basra in Kuwait harbor to collect customs but Mubarak refused to accept him, and the British warned the ottomans that they don’t agree with this action that disturbs the status of Kuwait, the British gun boat diplomacy was used then when the British war ships came to confront the Turkish ship Zuhaf, then Hamdi Pasha was soon dismissed and his fall was a relief to Mubarak and the British[31] .
5. Internal threats
With the 1899 agreement Sheikh Mubarak had secured Britain's guarantee of Kuwait's territorial integrity and independence as we mention previously, in the face of international powers including the Ottoman Empire. It is helpful to bear in mind the fact that their was no mention of guarantee against internal threats from the heart of Arabia, for the British then wasn’t interested in getting involved inside the deadly sands of Najed , but Mubarak seemed to know intuitively the value of setting off the two powers the Ottoman and the British against each other even for conflicts happening in or from the desert.
Sheikh Mubarak al-Subah succeeded in dealing with the 7 days military confrontation, when he refused to accept the Turkish Harbor master, Mubarak was making good use of the conflicting goals of the international interests in the region. But the Turks exerted military pressure on the ruler of Kuwait by other means without disturbing the status quo at Kuwait. In a smaller scale their was Youssef Al Ibrahim but their long arm was the pro-ottomans Abd al-Aziz bin Rashied Amir of Najed and governor of Hail in jabal shamar .
Youssef Al Ibrahim was the most influential man in Kuwait, a pearl merchant with farms in Iraq and India with strong relations with the rulers of Qatar Hail and the ottoman Porte. In addition to that he had great influence over the rulers of Kuwait Sheikh Muhammad bin Subah (1892 - 1896) and his brother Jarah . Youssef Al Ibrahim was the reason for the killing of both men by their younger brother Sheikh Mubarak in 1896. Sheikh Muhammad’s wife was Youssef’s sister. Youssef was the third person to die that night, but he escaped to Subia out of Kuwait town a night before Mubarak’s return from the desert.
From Basra, Youssef and nephews of Sheikh Mubarak countinue seeking revenge. The first major threat to Mubarak’s power came on 30 June 1897.Youssef AlIbrahim with the sons of Sheikh Muhammad gathered seven hundred men From Iraq and the Persian cost in 14 ships, they came to attack Kuwait but the expedition was a fiasco. The storms in the gulf delayed them three days,and as a result of the delay Mubarak knew about the planned invasion from a Kuwaiti ship. When the raiders came to know about the readiness of Mubaraks men at the beach they give up the Idea of attacking the town[32] . this attempt against Mubarak was the opening stage in more than a decade of upheaval.
The second plan to invade Kuwait took place on the 6th of November 1897, when three rivals of Mubarak gathered on Qatar. Youssef Al Ibrahim was the mastermind behind the attack,and he was joined by Sheikh Jassim bin Thani ruler of Qatar and Ibn Rashid ruler of Najed . The invasion was planed to come from the sea by ships provided by Youssef Al Ibrahim and by an army coming from Qatar in the south and from Hail in the northwest. Mubarak the greatest player managed to get the ottomans in the middle. Saeed Basha the Turkish governor of Baghdad who had long disputes with the Sheikh of Qatar sent a strong warning to Sheikh Jassim bin Thani to stop the planned invasion. As a result Ibn Rashid left Youssef Al Ibrahim alone with his ships in the rough sea[33].
In January 1901 Youssef Al Ibrahim, sent an invasion force from Basra to occupy the Kuwaiti territories of Safwan, Um Qasr and Bubiyan Island. A small British Royal Navy contingent was landed and the invaders fled. In September of the same year an attempt to take Kuwait by coup de main was led by two of Mubarak's disaffected nephews who were exiled in Basra, Athbi bin Muhammad and Hamud bin Jarrah. Invading Boums carrying 150 well-armed tribesmen were intercepted by HMS Lapwing whose captain, Commander Armstrong,returned them uncomfortably to Basra and burnt their boats at sea. But a British sailor was killed in the engagement.
Youssef Al Ibrahim managed to pull Ibn Rashid out of his hesitations regarding the dangers of Mubarak ,when a quarrel arose from a raid by Abdulrahamn bin faisal alSaud upon Najed territory with the convenience and assistance of Mubarak and the movement being supported on the north by Sadun Pasha chief of the Montafik Bedouins from Iraq [34].
In late November 1900 Ibn Rashid reported to be making preparations for an attack on Kuwait by sending a group of Shammar tribe to Kuwait territory. And attacking by his main forces Sadun Pasha chief of the Montafik in Iraq territory. And that’s when Mubarak decided to change his strategy from a defensive position to an offensive one. Mubarak was looking for an opportunity to strike Ibn Rashid and his plan was to cut his enemy rout when he was coming from the north after his engagement with Sadun.
Mubarak could levy troops for military campaigns from the towns and tribes under his control. And from his camps near Aljahra town Mubaraks divided his army into two units, the first one consisted mainly of infantry and cameleers led by himself. And in high spirits headed northwest to Zubair hopping to engage with Ibn Rashid but failed to find him. The other unit consisted mainly of cavalry force was lead by his brother the famous General Sheikh Hummud bin Subah along with Mubaraks son Sheikh Salim al Mubarak as second in command and they took Jerishan road looking for Ibn Rashid army in Samawah[35]. Unfortunately when the second unit saw the campfires of Ibn Rashids army at night, they knew that they lost whatever slim chance they may have had for success, because of the large size of the enemy’s army. The Kuwaitis were outnumbered, and in order to avoid a disastrous defeat and to overcome such disadvantages they changed their route, to engage with a group of Shammar tribe that made one third of Ibn Rashids army. It was a victories battle for the Kuwaiti unit at the Rukhima water wells. The reward was hundreds of shammars horses, livestock and camels and it was a great reward indeed since camels were considered the noblest animal in the desert, because of their economic importance, providing Bedouins with milk meat and hair for weaving his clothes and tents[36] .
6. AlSareef Battle
The Battle of AlSareef in 17 March 1901 was considered the greatest defeat and the most painful Battle in Kuwait history before the Iraqi invasion. Never before has there been such a short battle, involving so many men, taking place on such remote land form Kuwait. The battle, which lasted one hour and a half caused over an estimated of 2000 dead from Kuwait town it self, and countless wounded and missing.
At a time neither Kuwait nor Najed could be considered as States in the modern sense of the word. At that time there were only tribal and town rulers who endeavored to consolidate their position by developing their relations with tribes and controlling the trade routes. Kuwait’s geography and wealth along with Mubarak’s ambitions give it a naturally dominant Position and strategic depth.
A power struggle started between the two strong rivals Mubarak of Kuwait and Ibn Rashid of Najed . Since the beginning of their rule, at the two ends of Arabian Peninsula. Kuwait in the northeast, and Hail in the northwest, the center of prominent poets, warriors and good Arabian horses especially horses of Al Rashid . Hail was capital of the Emirate of Najed ruled by the Al Rashid.
Ibn Rashid was supportive of the Ottomans and enjoyed their financial and material support, Mubarak wasn’t. He was with the British. The Saud family ruled most of Arabia from 1780 to 1880 then Ibn Rashid drove them even out of their own capital Riyadh and forced them into exile in Kuwait and extended the Al Rashied rule throughout Najed . Mubarak had exercised the Bedouin virtue of hospitality and extended shelter to AlSaud, he wanted AlSaud family to regain Najed territory. Ibn Rashid belonged to the noble tribe of Shamar, Mubarak and Ibn Saud belonged to the noble tribe of Enezah , both tribes fought each other for hundreds of years. The clash between Mubarak and Ibn Rashid was unavoidable.
A considerable portion of the Arabian Peninsula was under the rule of Ibn Rashid then. he had his own ambitions to be the soul player in the Arabian Peninsula including annexing Kuwait. The power struggle stepped up to become a devastating war. This created a real threat to Kuwait security where Mubarak was forced at the beginning to take the defensive stand then went to attack his enemies.
During late 1900 a tribal army was raised under the command of Mubarak and his sons Jaber and salim. It was a fragile form of collective security against Ibn Rashid . These tribes included the Al-Ajman lead by their sheik Naif Bin Hethlain Aba al kelab, Muteer lead by Sultan AlDewish along with his famous Son Faisal AlDewish[37] ,BaniHajeer led by Bin shafi,and alawazem lead by Bin durai [38], alrashaydah, Otiabah, zafeer , muntafik in addition to various nomadic Bedouin tribes[39]. He also had secret communications with Zamil AS-Sulaym and Muhanna AS-Salih Abal Khayl the rulers of Najed large Emirates of Unayzah and Emirate of Burayda in al-Qasim Region that remained under the unpopular rule of Al-Rashid .
Sadun Pasha chief of the Montafik tribes was approached by Salim bin Hamud Al-Rasid as an envoy from Ibin Rashied to stay neutral in this war, but Sadun pasha refused the request and insisted to Fulfill his Obligation to the military alliance with Mubarak and marched to Aljahra to join in conquering Najed , Abdulrahamn bin faisal al Saud and his son Abdulaziz joined the forces build up along with the people of Najed who came to Kuwait with them.
When the Forces build up came to an end Mubaraks army was estimated to be around 10000 men and Mubarak was in command along with his sons and brothers Hamud ,khalefa and Subah.
In 22nd of Dec 1900 The Kuwaiti army marched right through Nejed, passing Hafar Al batain around 200km from Kuwait .to reach al-Qasim in mid February 1901 ,and after Mubarak penetrated as far as Aridh he appears to have received promises of assistance from some Bedouin tribes under Ibn Rashaids rule.
In a place called Ashouqi Abdulaziz Bin Saud asked Mubarak for permeation to lead a group of his followers that was estimated to be around 1000 men to recapture Riyadh. He managed to capture Riyadh town, but failed to take the fort[40]. He who held the Musmak fortress, held Riyadh, where Ibn Rashaid governor and the garrison scrambled back to the fort .
In alQasim Region Ibn Rashids garrison at Unayzah was besieged for three days, and Burayda was besieged for seven days by Mubaraks tribal army forcing it to surrender, where Mubarak installed bin zamil as governer of Unayzah and Abal Khayl as governer of Burayda.
Mubaraks attention during the falling of Najed towns one after another had been directed mainly toward his rival, Ibn Rashid of Jabal Shammar in Hail[41] . But while Mubarak was annexing parts of Ibn Rashid principality to his own, Ibn Rashid was on a hunting tribe north of Najed.
For unknown tactical reason Ibn Rashid was ignoring Mubaraks conquest and victories in al-Qasim Region, his lord Ibn Sabhan was turning back the tribal envoys loyal to his lord telling them that Ibn Rashid had no intentions of going to war against Mubarak this year[42].
It was not until early march 1901 when Ibn Rashid went into building up his forces by calling his tribes again to join him in Ayen bin Fheed for three days. However Ibn Rashid felt the weakness of his army, so he went into another tactic, by forcing his uncontrollable Bedouins to stand still on their position, then pulling back, and exhausting Mubarak forces by making them go for along, cold, wet and tiring march through the hostile Najed territory. Ibn Rashid in his delay began to seek the backing of other powers like the ottomans and Ibn Thani of Qatar, and they helped him with Ammunition and supply.
It is apparent that Mubarak would not be so foolish as to rush into an attack after just completing a long, tiring march confident of an easy victory like the one he had in Najed towns, So he sent his cavalry as a Reconnaissance, and they came with the news that made Mubarak move his camp to a place called Altrfeah or Alsreef, 15 mils to the north of Burayda[43].
The front stabilized at the 17th of March 1901, when the armies were situated opposite each other, Ibn Rashiad moved his forces to Feelt Alasyah and Mubarak was in Alsreef. Only a sand flat hill was separating the two enemies.
In addition to the to the support that Ibn Rashid had from the Turks and Qatar, a group of about 400 horsemen led by Fahad bin shaalan Sheikh of the noble tribe of Enezah came to Ibn Rashiads camp that day, apparently not aware of the war that’s going to take place soon. Ibn Rashaid asked them not to participate saying:” you are our guests, you have nothing to do with what between us and bin Subah , stay back If we lose then you can take what is in our camp instead of rewarding the enemy” [44], but they refused to let their host fight without them.
Scouts of Ibin Rashid reported the large Kuwaiti army just behind the sand hill, Ibn Rashaid wasn’t with the Idea of attacking his enemy that day, he preferred the next day. But Mubarak bin Athbi Al Subah who was in Ibn Rashaid camp advised him of attacking now saying : “If we stay this close to the enemy, and Alajman tribe is part of Mubaraks cavalry force they well attack us by night cause Alajman are famous of night attacks “[45].
Ambitious for glory as they are always, a group of 150 horsemen from Aljarba the ruling section of Shammar came to Ibn Rashaid asking for his orders to attack the enemy immediately, but some of his Subordinates suggested that they finish their morning coffee first! At that very moment Ibn Rashaid gave his orders that all coffee pots should be poured on the camp fires and no coffee shall be made in his camp that morning, the only coffee available for his men are the ones in Mubaraks camp.
Since camels are naturally calmer, less panicky and have a quite different temper than Arabian horses, they are more effective in battles. They can actually be urged to advance steadily as a barrier, while the men fire their guns behind camels or fight with swords riding them. Forty white, strong and beautiful camels tied together called Almasuga (pushed to advance) trained and accustomed to war-cries led the attack to cover the lead horsemen in their first advance, in front of that group of camels were Salim and Muhana, sons of the famous Hamud AlObeed AlRashaidh, along with them was Abdullah AlSabhan and the chief of Qahtan tribe.
Abdulaziz Ibn Rashaid drew his sword and put it on his shoulders wearing a red coat and a red head cover to make him recognizable during the fight. he was always surrounded by four hundred black slaves protecting him as bodyguards and carrying his flag that was called the Slaves Brigade.
In the rainy and foggy darkness on the morning of the 17th of March 1901 Ibn Rashids forty white camels and its companion began marching towards Mubarak Al Subah who was having his morning coffee in Sultan AlDewish s tent. They were run over by that surprised attack. His men quickly rode for a defensive position and opened their fire to stop the raiders; the Kuwaitis were literally able to wipe out the attackers with their new British rifles and sufficient ammunition. This all led to horrible casualty among the first wave of shammar. Salim and Muhana, sons Hamud AlObeed and all the men with them were killed; only seven camels survived the gunfire.
On his efforts to win the battle Ibn Rashid went to rally his retreating troops to re attack the enemy again. But Mubaraks forces commanded by his brother Humud quickly rode for a defensive position on a nearby hill awaiting Shammar cavalries with a massive firepower. Because of losing sight of the fact that those conflicts in his time were quite different from those in the past Ibn Rashid lost the first round of the day.
He shouted in anger to his generals with his famous war cry (I’m brother of Nora) how could you lose[46]? His Subordinates warned him that their opponents were fighting with rifles not swords. There were tactical weaknesses in his conduct of war. But to him that wasn’t a noble kind of fighting. Despite his unsuccessful attempts Ibn Rashid resumed directing the battle with the same tactics, making several unsuccessful attacks.
From AlDewishs tent Mubarak was directing the battle, for he had to reunite the divided wings of his army and make a stand, he and about 400 men mounted their horses and chased the retreating shammars.
It became clear to Ibn Rashid that his army was dangerously losing by this tactics of small horsemen’s attacks. Suddenly aware of the gravity of the situation, that the Kuwaitis were wining Because of their superior equipment. Ibn Rashid made a massive attack on the enemy with all his army. Suddenly, you cannot hear anything but the war cries, sounds of men asking the lord for Victory, the moaning of wounded soldiers, the screams of hurt horses, the wild pounding of their hearts, for along one hour and a half.
When the two forces met in that rainy day, a hand-to-hand fighting followed. The main unit, under Ibn Rashid command, advanced directly, meeting Humud and the cavaliers of Kuwait, attacking each others in a hand-to-hand fighting with swords and daggers, Ibn Rashid was seen in that day fighting and directing his men on the left, on the right, and in the center Of the battle field. Seven horses died under him. Suddenly one of Mubaraks army flanks felled back, and as it fell back, Ibn Rashid ordered his cavalry units to charge that weak part of the enemy, and his units attacked from the side, killing half the retreating men and forcing them to flee rapidly.
By losing one of his flanks the Bedouins who joined the campaign for profits from Mubarks army fleed across the desert. The fleeing troops ran into the second flanking force of Shammar, who attacked further and devastated the retreating army. Humud Bin Subah the cavilers commander were killed on the field of battle along with his son Subah bin Humud ,Khalefah bin Abdulah ,Abdulah bin Mansour AlSadun .
Mubarak had to reunite the divided wings of his army in order to make a stand he gave orders to reinforce his weak defensive line, but too few men were available, and the rest fled when the fighting broke out. Shammars strength lay in their good organization for they came mainly from one to four tribes, contrary to Mubaraks army that had at least 20 tribes, with their revenges and differences. In Mubaraks camp their was another battle, a Bedouin who came looking for an easy catch of a camel, a rifle or few goats from Shammar, found out their was only death awaiting him, so with the defeat in the front, he put his hands on the nearest catch regardless to whom it belongs, but their was someone to defend it, and that’s when another battle took place[47]. Once again it was confusion and greed that caused Bedouins from Mubaraks camp to fight each other. The worst was between Muteer and AlMuntafiq from the same camp. In Mubaraks camp there seems to be mainly looting, the battle with Shammar was elsewhere. Another reason for that devastating defeat was for some of the people of al-Qasim Region shifted alliance during the battle.
An eye witnesses described how Ibn Rashids troops followed Mubaraks army vigorously, attacking them at the battlefield and repeatedly attacked them until they disappeared in the horizon. The account continues to describe how Shammar took their entire camp even their food in the stoves[48], The enemy's losses weren’t serious like ours, he continued, our sheikh Mubarak almost got killed, he lost the horse he was riding, and he reached Kuwait 31 march 1901 with 103 men out of the 10 thousands that left Kuwait with him. Sultan AlDewish and Sadun Pasha were among the survivors. Kuwait was a sad town for several months there wasn’t a single house that didn’t lose someone in Alsareef battle[49].
Words of Mubaraks army defeat and the killing of six thousands men by Shammar reached these people at different towns along the road in al-Qasim Region. And afraid of Ibn Rashids punishments no one wanted to give the survivors any shelter. Ibn Rashid suffered 4000 casualties, mostly in the section of Ahl al lbdah lost 400 men and his brother Talal and three of his cousins from AlSabhan family[50] , Ibn Rashid sat his camps in the battlefield for another seven days , where he sent his cavalry to hunt down the shattered army of Mubarak , Some who had not gone very far simply brought that day to the execution ground and beheaded by the sword , there were no escape for the others, they were gathered from mosques, cavies, farms or in deep valleys to be killed too.
In all probability Mubarak believed that Shammar would break and run in the face of the larger and better-equipped soldiers of his Army, there were tactical weaknesses in his conduct of war, his decisions turned out to be a mistake; he lost the battle and went a long way toward losing the entire war of power struggle and superiority over Najed with Ibn Rashid, and The effect of this battle was to electrify both sides and the outcome of that day shaped the future of Najed exactly contrary to the victorious plans[51].
Sitting on his throne in Kuwait after the battle realizing the Unpredictable implications, Learning that he was a long way from living up to his theoretical Military potential, Mubarak said:”I well beat Ibn Rashid I shall win without leaving this place”, and he did for Ibn Rashid underestimated the rest of his enemies as long as he had beaten Mubarak Militarily .Who else could beat him[52] ?. And Mubarak unleashed hell in Ibn Rashids face, Regional diplomatic maneuvering was his first line of defense with the Turkish Governors in Basra and Baghdad then the British, then using force by Ibn Saud .
7. Kuwait blockade 1901
Since Mubaraks return from Alsareef battle, he was in considerable pains to keep back the fact of his defeat. He was anxious that the Turkish authorities should not know the extent of his reverse, as he fears that if they knew it, they would no longer consider him the formidable person he has. But rumors had reached the ottomans that Mubarak has been killed, according to this, Muhsin Pasha, governor of Basra sent two soldiers to Kuwait bringing a letter to Mubarak inquiring after his health[53].
Then an international military crisis over Kuwait happened shortly after Mubaraks defeat. The Turkish Sultan ordered the Nakib of Basra to endeavor to convince Shaikh Mubarak that he must behave in the same way as the sheikhs of those parts; he must either agree to come to Constantinople and be attached to the government court, or agree to reside in a part near the sultan in good living and peace.
On nov30th 1901 with the British assuming control over Kuwait’s foreign affairs and defense. Mubarak informed the political British resident in Bushire lieutenant colonel Kemball that he wasn’t expecting the British Vessel (Sphinx) to leave Kuwait in the time of the arrival of the Turkish sloop of war ( Zuhaf ) with the Nakib of Basra and other Turkish officials. The Turkish was asking for Mubaraks reply. He was asking for the British protection for himself, children, subjects and country as he put it. Furthermore he stated in firm words that if the British at this juncture do not do any action to remove these troubles he shall have no alternative but to join the Turks[54].
The Turkish envoy told Mubarak that the only way to make the sultan satisfied with him and allowed him to stay in his country without any enemy is that he should abandon the British and retain a few Turkish soldiers in Kuwait so as to be a Turkish government sign at Kuwait, appointment of an employee for the harbor of Kuwait. And if he doesn’t agree, Turkish troops well land in Kuwait.
By a British advice Mubarak requested three days to consulate with his people. Those three day were the required time the British needed to sent their battle ships Pomone, Redbreast and the Sphinx to support Mubarak and justifying his action on the ground that the Sultan threats was violating his agreement with the British government, to preserve the status quo at Kuwait, the British commanders informs the Turks that they hope Zuhaf would not attempt to land any troops or armed men such as guard of honor as they had orders from the British government not to permit it.
It is apparent that the Turkish government in Constantinople received a stronger protest with the same meaning of preserving the status quo at Kuwait. The British went further by setting plans to defend Kuwait by military means, and in this matter the British navy fitted six dhows for 3 –pr. gun and 7-pr.. Sheikh Mubarak’s men also made their own arrangements with the help and instruction from the staff of British vessel Pomone in how to make shelter- trenches. The positions of British guns have been selected but never landed from the ships. The British estimated that if the Turks planed to take Kuwait the shallow waters and sand hills and consequent long rang of shell fire from ships expected to delay the Turks from taking the unwalled town, but only British troops can prevent Turkish occupation.
On Dec 1901 an economic blockade against Kuwait was imposed when the Vali of Basra had prohibited the exportation of provisions to Kuwait. And that was one of three phases of the ottomans
new aggression against Kuwait after alSareef, a political pressure, and a military threats went side by side . The military phases came with reports that the Turks were taking measures of building up forces in Euphrates, A Turkish field marshal left Baghdad for Basra followed the next day by Turkish troops, that movements of Turkish troops, had only one meaning and one direction, and that was Kuwait, the Turks intended to make force with the view to the deposition of Mubarak, but Mubarak the master of political games with gifts and bribes succeeded in stopping the direct Ottoman intervention, through his friends in Basra Baghdad and Constantinople it self.
Political pressure came onboard the Turkish sloop Zuhaf that came to Kuwait in a new attempts to make Mubarak give up his relations with the British as we mentioned before. But her Majesty government and ships Pomone, Redbreast, and Sphinx made it clearly understood that it well not allow any attempt to disturb the status quo of Kuwait[55].
When the Ottomans came to the point of understanding the dangerous of a direct intervention in Kuwait politically or militarily they went to their loyal proxy Ibin Rashid. The ottomans ordered Ibin Rashid to attack Kuwait, in late September 1901 he attacked the Kuwaiti tribe Alrashaidah near Aljahra , killing some men and taking their camels and sheep. Mubarak had already taken defensive measures by calling Sadun Pasha of Al muntafiq tribes and Ibn Saud, also building up his own forces in Aljahra , expecting the attack that he couldn’t prevent, It was too late, but Ibin Rashid attacks reminded the whole desert Bedouins and the people of Kuwait town of the disastrous days of AlSareef.
The Bedouins left the deserts around Kuwait taking shelter in the town, where you can see a long black camps stretching from the outskirts of Kuwait to the center of the town. Later on that month their worries became real when Ibn Rashid attacked another Bedouins belonging to Mubarak near Jebal Hummudah and Ras Mushaab when it was and Hafar-Albatain under Mubaraks rule.
On his aggressive pursuit Ibn Rashid was reported to be 5 hours from Aljahra on22nd of Decmber1901, then he moved to Alsubihyeah near Wafra looking without any luck for Kuwait tribes, and on the caravans route which were used by pilgrims and merchants traveling from Kuwait to Najed, Ibn Rashid men Unfortunately engaged with a caravan belonging to the powerful and influential tribe of Mutair leaving Kuwait. A vigorous battle took place with disastrous results for Mutair. They were struggling against a fierce assault by an army that was larger than them by far, but they managed to kill some of Ibn Rashaids best men after losing the caravan with 700 camels. He then went to Warah town and burned the Kuwaiti farms their.
Even thou Large quantities of Turkish arms found their way to Ibn Rashid, And he had a long- range power projection in attacking, It seems then that he no longer had a good plan to invade Kuwait, he had no plan at all, but to put Kuwait inside a large belt of fear. But on the 25th of Dec things took a deferent trend when Ibn Rashid went up north to Safwan and their, he started a military buildup from tribes belonging to Zubair and Basra to attack Kuwait, with the help of Zubair ruler Khalid AlONN whom already imposed economic blockade on Kuwait.
Mubarak was in dispiriting position especially when the news came with the movements of the Turkish army towards Kuwait. And Mubarak decided to seek the backing of the British forces, What is perhaps more interesting is the fact that the 23rd of January 1899 agreement between the British and Mubarak was still confidential and In the confusion of internal and great powers conflict the Russians sent their war cruiser Varyag offering to Mubarak their help and asking him for a permission to make Kuwait the end of their proposed railroad from the Mediterranean to Kuwait[56] .
Mubarak went to build up his defenses in Aljahra waiting for Ibn Rashids attack, and at the same time the British sent two war cruisers to support another three warships already in the sea of Kuwait.
Because of Aljahra location that is 5 mils away from the nearest British ship their was little use of the long shill fire from the sea during day and none by night, the plan was made to mount two machine guns and two large guns on the top of the red fort.
Not a single shot was fired from the British ships towards Ibn Rashids forces when he approached Aljahra , but flairs light used by the British streaming across the dark night sky was capable of scaring the Bedouins to leave the area[57].When Ibn Rashid and his army was forced to retreat form Aljahra ,he camped for three months in Hafar Al batain in Muabraks territories ,and resumed his attacks on Kuwait tribes , he was their waiting for the Turkish army that he was promised to help him occupy Kuwait[58]. Mubarak was not only an able politician astute in international negotiations but also a great strategist. Mubaraks need to break the siege that was imposed by Ibn Rashid against him, along with the desire of Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud to retake his homeland Riyadh, A plan which seems to have two benefits for Mubarak and Ibn Saud. Armed with this knowledge, but little else more than his desire, Abdul-Aziz set out from Kuwait, and headed for Riyadh with forty of his devoted friends and took Riyadh in a historical event that was considered a major turning point in the history of the area. But when the news of the fall of Riyadh came, Ibn Rashid underestimated the event and decided that cutting the caravans routes to Kuwait is more important than the retaking of a lost territory from a weak enemy[59].
The British was already regarded as a main defender of the Kuwait, but Regardless of the fact that they had little physical or institutional involvement in defense schemes on the land. A strong Protest from the British government to Constantinople stating that unless Ibn Rashid withdraws his forces the British intend to defend Kuwait territory by military means made a noise in Constantinople. Yet Ibn Rashid was reluctant to withdraw. Then in late January 1902, Ibn Rashid with a reward of 4000 golden liras from the Turks returned back to Najed [60].
8. The Best Defense is a Good Offence.
Thinking that the recapturing of Riyadh by Ibn Saud was only a small tactical setback for him, Ibin Rashied found out that there were strategically weaknesses in the conduct of his war against Mubarak who was sending one caravan after another supporting Ibn Saud .And Suddenly aware of the gravity of the situation Ibin Rashied went in a military buildup calling his allies and other Bedouin tribes to march to Riyadh.
Among them was to Aldhafeer tribe, they were Mubaraks allies but shifted their position in away that Made Mubarak rapidly moved his army to attack them before they join Ibn Rashied [61]. When Mubarak gave the command to Sager Alghanim his brilliant General, Aldhafeer tribe were up north on Alwagba water wells, Sager advanced first to Al-lusafa water wells in Kuwait territory and Once there, he intended to cross the long hard desert in the hot month of July 1902 to Alwagba where Aldhafeer tribe were camping, but he had to make one stop for a water supply in Hafar Albatin. Aldhafeer knew that Hafar Albatin water wells were crucial to Sager so they sealed the wells along with the scattered wells along his route, they expect him to reach Hafar Albatin then turn back to Kuwait instead of crossing the waterless region.
Sager knew that the Bedouin warriors of Aldhafeer tribe would take every precaution, to make their enemy march a deadly one, especially after their knowledge of the planed attack by the Kuwaiti force. So he moved quickly sending two scouts to Hafar Albatin water wells, when his worries came true, Sager in a brilliant military action decided to make a three days rapid marching and to attack in one step from his base on Al-lusafa water wells in Kuwait territory direct to Alwagba where Aldhafeer felt save taking refuge in the desert using it as a fortress. But Sager took them by surprise and suddenly they found themselves under attack, fighting for their lives after losing their camels and their most precious possessions. It was a great strategic victory to Mubarak who succeeded in cutting Ibin Rashied short of Aldhafeer support.
[1] Seif Alshamlan, Kuwait history .Cairo 1959.p101
[2] Utoob belong to Jamilah a subdivision of the great Arab tribe Anzah inhabiting in Najed and northern Arabia, Alsubah Rulers of Kuwait and Alkhalefah Rulers of Bahrain and Aljalahmah along with other families formed the families’ federation.
[3] Abu Hakima, The modern history of Kuwait .p20
[4]AlRsheed, Kuwait history Beirut.p110
[5] AlRsheed, Ibid.p111
[6] A. Abu-Hakima ,The Modern History of Kuwait 1750-1965, Luzac&company ltd .London1983 .p32.
[7] AlRasheed, Ibid.p113
[8] AlRsheed, Ibid. P116
[9] Alshamlan, Ibid.P126
[10] AlRsheed, Ibid.p119
[11] AlRsheed, Ibid.pp120-121
[12] Alshamlan, Ibid.p130
[13] AlRsheed.Ibid.p127-128
[14] . Ibid.p129
[15] Alshamlan,Ibid.p132
[16] Arabi Nakhlah. Alahsa political history,p172
[17] AlRsheed, Ibid.p136
[18] AlRsheed, Ibid.p225
[19] Huseen khazaal ,Kuwait political history ,P2,Beirut.p147
[20] Khazaal ,Ibid.p148
[21] Khazal.Ibid.p150
[22] Nooriah Al Saleh, Ibid.p57
[23] Qatar Memorial Vol.5.p5 Annex II .13
[24] AlRsheed.Ibid. P226
[25] Alkhatrash F. Bahrain political history.p194
[26] Khazal.Ibid.p151
[27] Khazal.Ibid.p152
[28] "The Bedouin were feared and respected and their values served as the ideal for all other peoples of the Arabian Peninsula. Their values were expressed in proverbs such as 'Better to die with honor than to live in humili,' and 'Nothing humiliates a man like being subject to someone else's authority' " (Lindsey, p. 49)
[29]The Official Website Of The State Of Kuwait at: http://demo.sakhr.com/diwan/emain/Story_Of_Kuwait/Kuwait_before_Oil/Political/political.html
[30] He consequently took an immediate and decisive step to protect his country from direct or indirect Ottoman intervention. In February 1897, he asked to meet Colonel Meade, the British Political Resident in the Arabian Gulf. The meeting was held on September 2, 1897 between Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah and Jackson, the assistant of the British Political Resident. Sheikh Mubarak did not hesitate to ask for status as a British protectorate which Bahrain and coastal Emirates already enjoyed at that time. He clarified that the Kuwaiti people and he believed that the Ottoman Empire wanted to seize possession of Kuwait and that there were no agreements with the Ottoman Empire, so he was asking for British protection to prevent the dominance by the Ottoman Empire over his country.
[31] [L/P&S/18/B133] memo by Mr. Harcourt, foreign office 29 oct. 1901.
[32] AlRsheed.Ibid.p150
[33] . Ibid.p158
[34] [L/P&S/18/B133] Memo outlining Kuwait history from 1871-1901 by Harcourt Foreign Office ,29 October 1901.P10
[35] Ftooh Alkhatrash. Kuwait political history in Sheikh Mubarak the great reign .p109.
[36] Khazaal Ibid.p32.
[37]Faisal AlDewish and Naif Bin Hethlain along with Ibn Humayd of Otaiba tribe were the leaders of (Ikhwan) a religious and military brotherhood that figured prominently in the unification of the Arabian Peninsula under Ibn Sa'ud (1912-30)all three men were killed later as outlaw.
[38]. Dickson. Kuwait and its neighbors, translated by alkhatrash, p416
[39] Khaled Alzyed.Kuwait in, Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf by Lorimer. Part 1,Kuwait 1981,p156
[40] Al Rayhani .Najed History ,p118
[41] AlRasheeid , Ibid.p162
[42] Ibid.p162
[43] Saif Alshmlan,From Kuwait history ,p145
[44] Khazal,Ibid ,p47
[45] .yousef Aljenay, pages of Kuwait history ,p31
[46] . Saif Alshmlan.Ibid.p146
[47] .Nooriah Al Saleh .Kuwait political relations with east Arabia and the Ottomans Iraq1866-1902,Kuwait 1977.p37
[48] . Saif Alshmlan.Ibid.p145
[49] .Alkhatrash,Ibid,p160
[50] .[IDR R/15 ]Lt-col Kemball, Bushire to Government of India,20April 1901
[51] Alraihani, Ibid, p119.
[52] AlRsheed.Ibid. p165.
[53] .[R/15/1/473] Report by News agant, Kuwait on battle against Ibn Rashid,8April1901
[54]{ L/P&Ss/19} letter from Mubarak to Kemball dec3 1901
[55] .[L/P&S/19] Sir O’Connor, ambassador, Constantinople to Marquees of Lansdowne ,4March 1901
[56] Alkhatrash,Ibid ,p166
[57] Alrehani.Ibid .p121
[58] Muneera Alorinan,Najed relations with other power s 1902-1914.p106
[59] AlRsheed.Ibid. P127.
[60] Khalid Alsadun, Relations between Najed and Kuwait, 1902-1922,Kuwait .p67
[61] AlSadun,Ibid ,P83
