Complex sentence: As the Saudis were out of the picture, exiled in Kuwait, the House of Rashid sought friendly ties with the Ottoman Empire to its north which, during the course of the 19th century, became less and less profitable as the Ottomans lost influence and legitimacy.
Split into simpler sentences: As the Saudis were out of the picture, exiled in Kuwait, the House of Rashid sought friendly ties with the Ottoman Empire to its north. This alliance became less and less profitable during the course of the 19th century as the Ottomans lost influence and legitimacy.