Battle of Bidiyah

In March 1813 in the area of Bidiyah, located in what is today the Eastern Region of the Oman, the renowned Wahhabi military leader Mutlaq bin Mohammed al-Mutairi and his forces arrived near the Gulf of Oman.

Battle of Bidiyah
Part of Saudi invasion of Oman
Date March 1813 Location Bidiyah, Oman Result Oman Victory
Belligerents
First Saudi State	Omani Empire
Commanders and leaders
Mutlaq bin Muhammad Al-Mutairi †	Said bin Sultan Imam Azzan bin Qais
Casualties and losses
Heavy	12 Killed

Background

The First Saudi State was a dynasty based on the Salafi reform movement known as Wahhabism. Since that time, al-Mutairi’s strong leadership and fearsome reputation had helped expand and consolidate Saudi influence in the region, including the areas under the control of the Qasimi clan.

Battle

the Omani historian Hamid bin Raziq recounts the battle that put an end to this most famous of Saudi leaders. The first three rounds targeted the camp of his brother, Batal bin Mohammed al-Mutairi, whom they defeated, followed by occupation of his camp. Bin Raziq states that al-Mutairi arrived with his forces in the Bidiyah region at sunrise, setting up his camp in a nearby area known as Al Wasil. When al-Mutairi’s army launched raids on the villages of the area, the local citizens were determined to attack him at all costs, victory or martyrdom.

The Pirate Coast

Aftermath

Al-Mutairi repelled the first two attacks, while the third ended with his death and the defeat of his army by Imam Azzan bin Qais. One eyewitness recounted with amazement and admiration the resolve and determination of the Hajiri warriors, residents of this region, in confronting the Saudis and fighting them to the death.

This battle was a turning point in pushing back the tide of Saudi Wahhabi influence before the ultimate demise of the First Saudi State five years later, in 1818, at the hands of Egyptian-Ottoman forces.