# Battle of Izki

The Battle of Izki was a battle that took place in June 1808 AD, between the First Saudi State led by Mutlaq bin Muhammad Al-Mutairi Against the Iranian campaign led by Saadi Khan and Oman led by Said bin Sultan and his brother Salem bin Sultan. This is considered the most intense battle in which the First Saudi State and Iran faced each other, and it ended with the victory of Mutlaq bin Muhammad Al-Mutairi and the Saudi forces, killing a large number of them and taking their tents, most of their belongings and cannons. As a result, the Iranian campaign was suppressed and withdrew to Iran, opening the way for Mutlaq bin Muhammad's forces to the villages of Bani Rawaha at the entrance to Wadi Samail, and the Samail Fort opened its doors to the Wahhabis.

## Historical background

After Mutlaq bin Mohammed Al Mutairi imposed his control over Oman, the Italian doctor Morisi suggested to Said bin Sultan to seek help from Iran. Said bin Sultan responded to the idea due to the hostility between Iran and the Saudis since the Wahhabi sack of Karbala. He sent his brother Salem to a delegation in Shiraz, and met with the Shah of Persia, Fath Ali Shah. After long negotiations and discussions, he was able to convince the Shah to cooperate with him in order to stop the Saudi advance. The Shah ordered the preparation of a large campaign of three thousand fighters, led by Saadi Khan. These forces arrived in Barka and the two parties agreed that Salem bin Sultan would be the commander of these forces. Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud appreciated the danger of cooperation between Said bin Sultan and the Shah of Iran, so he sent an envoy to the Shah to establish friendly relations with him and to prevent the sending of this expected campaign. However, the Shah responded to Said bin Sultan’s request and ordered that the commander Saadi Khan accompany Salem bin Sultan on his return with three thousand Iranian horsemen. This force arrived in Barka and Said bin Sultan was able to reclaim the Nakhal forts in early 1808 AD. And Samail, when he received news of Tusun Pasha’s campaign in the land of Hejaz, he sent a naval campaign led by his son to Qatar and Bahrain. The campaign succeeded in destroying Zubarah and capturing the Saudi tribal leaders there. The Saudi leader Mutlaq Al -Mutairi left Al-Buraimi at that time, returning to Najd. Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Jabri hurried to Al-Buraimi to seek his help, but found that he had left. He went after him and kept urging him to confront the joint Iranian-Omani force. He returned after Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Jabri promised to supply the army and provide it with the necessary money. Mutlaq Al-Mutairi mobilized the tribes of Naim, Bani Qitab, Al-Dhawahir and Al-Duru’, and for the first time the Omani tribes of Bani Bu Ali joined him against the Iranian campaign. At the same time, the forces of Salem bin Sultan and the Persians, led by Saadi Khan, gathered in Izki. Sheikh Issa bin Saleh Al-Harthi came to them at the head of his tribe. The battle took place near Izki, and the joint Iranian-Omani forces were defeated. Saadi Khan fled and returned to Barka with a hundred Iranian knights, then returned to Iran, and the road was opened for Mutlaq Al-Mutairi's forces to the villages of Bani Rawaha at the entrance to Wadi Samail, and Samail Fort opened its doors to the Wahhabis, After that, Muttrah was Sacked and looted, Forcing Sultan of Oman to pay Annual Tribute to Imam of Diryah