The Battle of Jahra was outcomes of the border conflict between the Emirate of
Kuwait and the Emirate of
Najd, which escalated into a violent confrontation between the two entities. The conflict originated from the territorial expansion of Najd, which had annexed much of the
Arabian Peninsula, including most cities and towns in central Arabia, with the exception of the
Emirate of Hail. A critical turning point occurred in 1913, when Najd captured the Ottoman district of Al-Ahsa in eastern Arabia, bringing its borders into direct contact with Kuwait. Tensions heightened in 1919 when Sheikh
Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the ruler of Kuwait, attempted to establish a settlement at Khur Bulbul, a strategic location on Kuwait's southern border.
Emir Abdulaziz Al Saud of Najd opposed the move, claiming that Khur Bulbul was part of the
Qatif region, which was under his control. The situation led to a political crisis that was quickly mediated by Britain, in the region following the collapse of the
Ottoman Empire. As a result, Sheikh Salem abandoned plans to develop Khur Bulbul. However, in 1920, another border dispute emerged over the ownership of wells in the
Qaryat al-Ulya. Members of the
Ikhwan, a militant group aligned with the Mutair tribe, established a settlement at the site in May 1920. Sheikh Salem objected, claiming the wells were within Kuwait's borders, as defined by the
Anglo-Ottoman Agreement of 1913. Despite his protests, the Ikhwan refused to cease their activities without direct orders from Emir Abdulaziz Al Saud, indicating that the settlement had likely been sanctioned by Najd. Sheikh Salem initially sought a diplomatic solution, appealing to the British High Commissioner in
Baghdad, but his concerns were ignored. With few options left, he resorted to military action, sending a force of 300 men under the command of Daej Al-Sabah to confront the Ikhwan at Hamdh. Daej threatened the Ikhwan, demanding they leave the
Qaryat al-Ulya or face attack. In response, the Ikhwan called for reinforcements from
Faisal al-Duwaish, the leader of the Mutair tribe. This escalated into the
Battle of Hamdh, where the Kuwaiti forces were defeated. Following this setback, Sheikh Salem sought help from the ruler of Hail, a rival of
Abdulaziz Al Saud. Hail sent Dhari bin Tawalah, who joined forces with Daej Al-Sabah in preparing for a renewed assault on Quraiya. Upon learning of these preparations, Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered Faisal Al-Dawish to defend the village. Recognizing the strength of the Ikhwan forces, Dhari and Daej retreated to the village of Jahra. In response, Sheikh Salem launched three raids: the first led by Ibn Tawalah on the wells at Al-Lahaba, the second by Ibn Majid on Al-Rumah, and the third by Kiran on Al-Shibak. These raids were initially successful, but the Ikhwan forces quickly pursued the raiders back to Jahra. As the Ikhwan advanced, Sheikh Salem left Kuwait City and headed to Jahra to prepare for the inevitable battle.
Border dispute Khur Bulbul Crisis In 1919, relations between the Emirate of Najd and Kuwait were strained due to a border dispute that emerged when Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah, the ruler of Kuwait, attempted to establish a settlement at Khur Bulbul, located near Ras Manifa on Kuwait’s southern frontier. The area, noted for its natural harbor and proximity to
pearl diving grounds and water wells, was intended to become a commercial hub. Sheikh Salem planned to construct a fort to protect the harbor and facilitate trade. According to the Anglo-Ottoman Treaty of 1913, Kuwait’s southern border extended to Ras Manifa, marking the starting point of the Ottoman Al-Ahsa Brigade’s territory. However, the expansion into Khor Bulbul raised concerns for Emir Abdulaziz Al Saud of Najd, who feared the new settlement might rival the nearby city of Jubail in terms of trade and pearl diving. Abdulaziz wrote to Sheikh Salem, urging him to halt construction, but Sheikh Salem refused. In response, Abdulaziz escalated the issue by informing Major John More, the British political agent in Kuwait, of his objection, claiming that Khor Balbul was part of the
Qatif region, which belonged to Najd. Despite his initial resistance and insistence that Khor Bulbul was within Kuwait’s borders, Sheikh Salem eventually abandoned his plans to develop the site.
Qaryat al-Ulya Crisis In early 1920, members of the
Ikhwan, a militant group primarily composed of the Mutair tribe, established a settlement around the wells in the village of Quraiya, claiming ownership of the land. Upon learning of this encroachment, Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, the ruler of
Kuwait, sent a message to Hayef bin Shuqair, the leader of the Ikhwan and a relative of the Mutair, urging him to halt any construction activities within Kuwait's southern borders. Hayef, however, refused to comply, stating that he would only act upon orders from a superior authority. This defiance incited Sheikh
Salem's anger, prompting him to impose an embargo on the export of grains and other goods to Ibn Saud's followers. In a bid to confront the Ikhwan, Sheikh Salem dispatched a military force comprising 200 men and 100 cavalry, led by Sheikh Daej bin Salman Al-Sabah. The Kuwaiti force established its position in Hamdh, strategically situated near the Ikhwan’s settlement. Kuwaiti historian Abdulaziz Al-Rashid contended that Sheikh Salem's intent was to instill fear in the Ikhwan and deter them from continuing their activities in Quraiya. Conversely, historian
Ameen Rihani reported that upon reaching Hamdh, the Kuwaiti forces sent a menacing message to the Ikhwan in Quraiya, threatening them with death if they did not vacate the area.
Battle of Hamdh Upon the arrival of the Kuwaiti military force in Hamdh, the Ikhwan sent a distress signal to
Faisal al-Duwaish, the Emir of Al
Al Artawiyah, who swiftly mobilized a contingent of 2,000 men to assist them. The
Ikhwan then launched an offensive against the Kuwaiti forces stationed in
Hamdh. In response to the attack, Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Sultan of Najd, reprimanded Faisal Al-Dawish for exceeding his orders, which had restricted him to defensive maneuvers only. The Ikhwan justified their actions by asserting that the Kuwaitis were the aggressors, having advanced to within a mere four hours of their position. In Kuwait, Sheikh Salem sought reinforcements by summoning Dhari bin Tawalah and his men from the Shammar tribe, who were stationed in
Safwan, north of Kuwait. He allocated funds to Dhari and planned a raid on Hayef bin Shuqair and the Ikhwan in Quraiya. Consequently, Sheikh Salem dispatched Dhari bin Tawalah along with Sheikh Daej bin Salman Al-Sabah to confront Hayef bin Shuqair and the Ikhwan in Quraiya Al-Ulya. However, the forces sent by Sheikh Salem did not engage the Ikhwan in Quraiya. Reports indicate that a disagreement over command arose between Dhari bin Tawalah and Sheikh Daej during their advance, leading to their retreat to Jahra without launching an attack. Additionally, it was noted that while en route, one of the Ikhwan loyalists managed to escape and alert Hayef bin Shuqair and his followers of the approaching Kuwaiti forces. This revelation heightened the Kuwaiti forces' awareness of the difficulties they would face, prompting them to withdraw.
Building the Third Wall Following the Battle of Hamdh, there was a prevailing sentiment regarding the urgent need to construct a protective wall around Kuwait to safeguard against potential threats and repulse enemy incursions. In response, Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah ordered the construction of a new wall, marking the city's third fortification. Work on the wall commenced on May 22, 1920, funded by a tax imposed on citizens. Responsibilities for the labor were divided among prominent figures in the city, who were tasked with various duties, including digging, sourcing
clay, transportation, providing mortar, feeding the workers, and supplying water. By September of that year, the wall was completed, extending over three miles and effectively isolating the city from the land. It reached into the sea to thwart any attempts at maritime entry. The fortifications included three gates, along with a fourth gate designated for the emir, each resembling a fortress. When closed and secured with locks and large wooden planks, the city transformed into an impregnable stronghold, with the gates referred to as Al-Darwaza. The wall was further fortified with twenty-six towers, each equipped with firing openings. In October of the same year, Sheikh Salem received reports that large contingents of the Ikhwan were advancing from the south. He departed Kuwait for Jahra, accompanied by 500 local men. On October 7, the Ikhwan reached Al-Wafra, south of Kuwait, swelling their ranks to 4,000, which included 500 cavalry. They continued their advance from Al-Wafra to Al-Sabihiya on October 8, ultimately proceeding to Jahra, where the battle would erupt on October 10
Abrogation of the 1913 Anglo-Ottoman Treaty Sheikh Salem Al-Mubarak, the ruler of Kuwait, based his border dispute with Najd on the Anglo-Ottoman Agreement of 1913, which stated that Kuwait's borders extended to Ras Minifa in the south. However, he was unaware that the Darin Agreement, signed in 1915 between the British government and the Emirate of
Najd, which recognized Ibn Saud as the ruler of Al-Ahsa,
Qatif, and Jubail, did not delineate the borders of Kuwait. On the other hand, Emir Abdulaziz Al Saud refused to recognize the 1913 agreement, deeming it non-binding since it was signed with the Ottoman Empire and not with him. To resolve the dispute, the Royal High Commissioner in Baghdad decided on July 9, 1920, to notify Sheikh Salem Al-Sabah that the Anglo-Ottoman Agreement of 1913 was now null and void, having been invalidated by the British government's conclusion of the
Darin Agreement with Ibn Saud in 1915. == The battle ==