Treaty of Jeddah (1927)

The Treaty of Jeddah is an agreement signed in 1927 between King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and Britain. Under it, Britain recognized Abdulaziz as King of the Hijaz and Najd, affirmed his right to conclude treaties with other states, and brought the Treaty of Darin to an end. [1]

The treaty came at a stage when the Saudi state had become firmly established and its unity had taken root, after a journey that extended from King Abdulaziz's entry into Riyadh in 1902 until the signing of the treaty in 1927. [1]

A series of agreements regulating King Abdulaziz's relationship with Britain preceded the Treaty of Jeddah. The two sides concluded the Treaty of Al-Uqair in 1334 AH/1915 CE, which included recognition of the sovereignty of the Saudi state and a guarantee of Britain's assistance in any confrontation with Ottoman forces. [4]

In the treaty known as the Treaty of Darin, or Al-Qatif, Britain recognized Abdulaziz as Emir of Najd and Al-Ahsa and undertook to provide him with financial and military assistance, on condition that he not communicate with any other state or conclude treaties without its consent. [1]

These restrictions constituted an infringement on the sovereignty of the Saudi state, so King Abdulaziz moved quickly to annul them. [1]

In the Bahrah negotiations in the autumn of 1925, King Abdulaziz set out to Gilbert Clayton his views on the northern borders of Najd and expressed his wish to review British-Saudi relations. [2]

After the annexation of the Hijaz, Britain sent Clayton to conclude the Treaty of Hadda, which established the subordination of Al-Jawf and Al-Qurayyat to Sultan Abdulaziz. [5]

In 1926, Britain decided not to raise the question of foreign privileges with King Abdulaziz, who affirmed that there is no law in the Holy Land but the Sharia. [2]

King Abdulaziz entered Makkah in 1343 AH as part of the drive to annex the Hijaz, after he had announced that he was travelling there to lift grievances from the people. [3]

In the first week of 1344 AH, Jeddah received King Abdulaziz, and its people pledged allegiance to him as King of the Hijaz upon the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Messenger. [4]

After the Hijaz joined the state, his title became King of the Hijaz and Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies. [3]

The agreement was signed in 1927 between King Abdulaziz and Britain. [1]

By its terms, Britain recognized Abdulaziz as King of the Hijaz and Najd and affirmed his right to conclude treaties with other states. [1]

The Treaty of Darin was annulled under it, together with the restrictions it had carried on the sovereignty of the Saudi state in concluding treaties and communicating with other states. [1]

The 1927 treaty had a significant effect in consolidating relations with the ruler of Bahrain and the rest of the rulers of the Gulf emirates. [6]

In 1351 AH/1932 CE, the Hijaz, Asir, and Najd were united to become the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, [4] and King Abdulaziz issued Royal Decree No. (2716) changing the name “the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd and its Dependencies” to “the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”. [3]

Thursday 21 Jumada al-Ula 1351 AH, corresponding to 23 September 1932 CE, was taken as a national day for proclaiming the unification of the Kingdom, [3] and the decree provided that the King's title become King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, without this affecting treaties, agreements, and international obligations. [3]

Q: What is the Treaty of Jeddah (1927)? A: It is a treaty signed in 1927 between King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud and Britain, in which Britain recognized his kingship over the Hijaz and Najd and his right to conclude treaties with other states. [1]

Q: Which treaty was annulled under the Treaty of Jeddah? A: The Treaty of Darin, which was concluded in 1334 AH/1915 CE and restricted the Saudi state in concluding treaties. [1]

Q: When was King Abdulaziz pledged allegiance as King of the Hijaz? A: In the first week of 1344 AH, when Jeddah received him and its people pledged allegiance to him as King of the Hijaz. [4]

Q: What title did King Abdulaziz hold after the annexation of the Hijaz? A: King of the Hijaz and Sultan of Najd and its Dependencies. [3]

Q: When was the unification of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proclaimed? A: On Thursday 21 Jumada al-Ula 1351 AH, corresponding to 23 September 1932 CE. [3]