Overview
The Battle of Wadi Al-Safra was a battle fought in 1226 AH near Madinah, and it ended with the defeat of Tusun bin Muhammad Ali Pasha; it is one of the major battles in the history of the First Saudi State. [1][2]
The Saudi forces in it were led by Imam Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, after his father Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz called on the commanders of the armies in all parts of the state to unify the ranks and defend the land. [1][2]
Context of the Egyptian Campaign
Muhammad Ali Pasha assumed the rule of Egypt in 1220 AH, and a commission was issued to him by the Ottoman Sultan to march with troops to fight the Saudis. [5]
Tusun bin Muhammad Ali Pasha set out to fight the people of the Salafi call in Najd, and events in 1226 AH, corresponding to 1811 CE, took place before the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra. [1][2]
March of the Saudi Forces
Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz called on the commanders of the armies in all parts of the state to unify the ranks and defend the land under the leadership of his son, Prince Abdullah bin Saud. [2]
Imam Abdullah bin Saud marched to confront Tusun, and Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hasan Al Ash-Sheikh accompanied him on his march. [1]
Outcome of the Clash at Wadi Al-Safra
Related people
- PersonImam Abdullah bin SaudImam Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud was the last imam of the First Saudi State, ruling after the death of his father over the period 1229–1233 AH/1814–1818. During his reign the siege of Diriyah took place; he then surrendered and was transferred to Egypt and then to Constantinople.
- PersonImam Saud bin Abdulaziz Al SaudImam Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud was the third imam of the First Saudi State, which took Diriyah as its capital. He led the Saudi forces at the First Battle of Al-Hanakiyah in 1228 AH/1813 CE, was described as close to his people and humble in his dealings, and his era saw the scholarly councils of Diriyah flourish.
Theatre of the Confrontations around Madinah
After the seizure of Yanbu, the Egyptian army remained there for three months, then moved towards Yanbu al-Barr. [4]
The Battle of Mamar Al-Jadidah took place between the army of Tusun bin Muhammad Ali Pasha and the Saudi forces, and it ended with the defeat of the army of Egypt, superior in numbers and equipment, before the smaller and less equipped Saudi forces. [4]
Tusun's army was defeated at Al-Jadidah in Dhu al-Qi'dah 1226 AH, and its soldiers fled to the ships at Al-Buraik, Yanbu al-Bahr and Al-Muwailih. [5]
In 1228 AH, corresponding to 1813 CE, the First Battle of Al-Hanakiyah took place around Al-Hanakiyah Castle, north-west of Madinah, between the forces of the First Saudi State and the army of the Ottoman State; it ended with the victory of the Saudi forces and the withdrawal of the Ottoman army, which delayed the Ottoman military advance towards Najd and strengthened the Saudi presence around Madinah. [3]
National Documentation of the Battle
The Saudi Treasures initiative of the Ministry of Media launched the film "Laylat Al-Safra" to mark Founding Day; it depicts part of the events that preceded the battle in 1226 AH, corresponding to 1811 CE. [2]
The film offers a cinematic vision of the precise military plans of the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra, highlighting the most important commanders who took part in it and the heroic roles each of them carried out. [2]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra take place? A: It was fought in 1226 AH near Madinah, and it is one of the major battles in the history of the First Saudi State. [1][2]
Q: Who led the Saudi forces in the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra? A: It was led by Imam Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, after the call of his father Imam Saud bin Abdulaziz to unify the ranks and defend the land. [1][2]
Q: What was the outcome of the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra? A: It ended with the defeat of Tusun bin Muhammad Ali Pasha. [1]
Q: Where did the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra take place? A: It took place near Madinah. [1]
Q: During which Saudi state did the Battle of Wadi Al-Safra take place? A: During the First Saudi State, which lasted from 1139 AH to 1233 AH, corresponding to 1727-1818 CE. [6]
Conclusion
Related topics
- Saudi statesThe First Saudi StateA state centred on Diriyah under Imam Muhammad bin Saud, officially dated in Saudi chronology to 1727. It expanded across Najd and other regions before its capital fell in 1818.
- EventEgyptian Campaign on DiriyahThe Egyptian Campaign on Diriyah was a military campaign directed at the First Saudi State, launched by a commission from the Ottoman Sultan to Muhammad Ali, who assumed the rule of Egypt in 1220 AH; its forces reached Diriyah in 1233 AH/1818 CE after wars that lasted nearly seven years.
- RegionMadinah RegionA western Saudi region combining Madinah, Yanbu, AlUla and other governorates, with Islamic landmarks, oases, archaeological sites and a Red Sea coastline.
- RegionYanbu CityYanbu City is a Saudi city on the Red Sea coast west of Madinah, spread across three cities: Yanbu Al-Bahr, Yanbu Al-Nakhl and Yanbu Industrial City.[1] It is known as the "Pearl of the Red Sea" for the historic heritage, industrial and service renaissance and tourism assets it brings together.[15]
Sources & references
- King Abdulaziz Foundation — Al-Darah Journal (peer-reviewed research): “Prominent Scholars of Najd: Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hasan Al Ash-Sheikh”, by Abdulrahman bin Abdul Latif Al Ash-Sheikh, Volume 3, Issue 3
- Saudi Press Agency (SPA): “Founding Day / the Saudi Treasures initiative of the Ministry of Media launches the film ‘Laylat Al-Safra’ to mark Founding Day”
- Saudi Press Agency (SPA): “Founding Day / the Battle of Al-Hanakiyah, a Prominent Station in the History of the First Saudi State”
- King Abdulaziz Foundation — Al-Darah Journal (peer-reviewed research): “Lights on the Battle of Mamar Al-Jadidah, or Jadid Bughar”, by Muhammad Mustafa Al-Azami, Volume 3, Issue 3
- King Abdulaziz Foundation — Al-Darah Journal (peer-reviewed research): “New Facts about the War of Diriyah and Whether Egyptian Soldiers Took Part in It”, by Al-Sayyid Ahmad Abbas, Volume 3, Issue 3
- Saudi Press Agency (SPA): “Founding Day / the Founding of the First Saudi State .. a Historical Depth for the Kingdom and a Civilisational Legacy for the State”