Turabah

A dispute arose between Sharif Hussein and Khalid ibn Luai, governor of Al-Khurmah, near Turabah. Both towns had long been loyal to the Saudi state. People there had heard of Abdulaziz’s Hijar, and Khalid ibn Luai, who was linked to the people of the Hijar, declared himself against the Sharif and for Abdulaziz. Al-Khurmah followed him.

The Sharif sent his son, Abdullah ibn Hussein, to Turabah. He came with an organised, well-armed army, equipped from the stores of Medina and led by officers from Iraq, the Levant and Egypt: former Ottoman officers who had joined the Arab Revolt. He treated the people of Turabah harshly.

Abdulaziz sent forces made up of men of the Hijar. They called themselves Al-Ikhwan, “the Brothers”, meaning brothers of those who obey Allah. When Abdullah brushed aside their approach, they and Khalid ibn Luai attacked. Although his army was camped around Turabah, the sudden attack, in 1337 AH, took him by surprise and cost him heavily in men and weapons.

Abdulaziz came to Turabah and stayed ten days, while Britain tried to mediate. He believed in negotiation when it served his purpose, not when it was imposed on him. Judging that the time was not yet ripe, he withdrew.

In response, his followers were barred from entering Makkah, for Hajj and for trade. It was a deep provocation for people just settling into the Hijar. Only from around 1340 AH, under Abdulaziz’s pressure, did the restrictions loosen and they were allowed to perform Hajj, though the permission could be withdrawn at any time.