Abdulaziz bin Mohammad Al-Qadi, Unayzah’s poet laureate, said, chronicling the victories of King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud, in 1904, in Al Qassim:

To Unayzah, Ibn Saud entered,

And on whom the attention centered.

With such welcome, that was received,

He became the savior, that is believed,

By Buraydah’s people and every being,

To expel the Ottomans, and, hence, freeing

His land, of any outer suppression,

And, hence, ending colonial oppression.

The people have suffered from feelings of terror and fear because of the Ottomans; therefore, this explains why they have considered King Abdulaziz as their savior. The Battles of Bekeriyah, and Shinanah have been one of the fiercest battles that Ibn Saud- as historians called him- has ever led. This is because, it has, like many other battles against the Ottomans, depended on the hit- and- run tactic, which made the battle last longer, yet, ended with the Ottomans’ surrender.

These events have been closely monitored by the Ottomans. Filled with fear and caution, they have resorted to a policy of approaching and understanding with Ibn Saud. To explain further, Fakhri Pasha, the former governor of Basrah, asked Imam Abdul Rahman bin Faisal- Abdulaziz’s father – to meet him together with the Sheikh of Kuwait in Az Zubayr. During the meeting, Fakhri Pasha suggested that Al Qassim shall become neutral land, that is, Abdulaziz bin Saud is to rule, yet, he is to be accompanied by a force of Turkish soldiers. With great wit, Imam Abdul Rahman, the experienced politician, rejected the offer, that will make the region in such a continuous conflict. Still, what is worst is that the descendant of the Saudi family will be no more than the Ottomans’ assigned ruler, and follower.

Out of his desire to avoid domination, on returning to Al Qassim, Imam Abdul Rahman shared the Turkish suggestion with the concerned of the Al Qassim. Yet no one has agreed except for Al Mhanna.

Although the Imam has not agreed, the Ottomans have carried out their plan. They have ordered, Fayzi Pasha, to mobilize military forces from Iraq, and to march towards Al Qassim, together with Sidky Pasha, the Ottoman deputy governor over Medina.

Many negotiations have failed- including the one we are about to study. The Ottomans kept on repeating the previous offer, while Imam Abdul Rahman kept on refusing the same. Hence, Fayzi Pasha moved his forces towards Yemen, leaving Najd and its conditions to Sidky Pasha, because of whom the people have sought Ibn Saud’s help, and he did so with valor.

The Ottoman Empire has replaced Sidky Pasha with Sami Al Farouki Pahsa, on feeling that Sidky Pasha can no longer achieve its goals in Al Qassim. Yet, all that Sami Pasha has done was to propose the same as he was only trying to premediate the Ottoman control over Al Qassim.

Again, Ibn Saud met another leader, Sami Pasha, in Al Bukayriyah, with the same offer proposed, and the same answer given. Ibn Saud asked them to leave the whole Najd, with no exception.

They had no other choice but to leave. Some moved to Medina, while others moved to Iraq. What is more important is that, on leaving, they were treated, humanely, as this is Ibn Saud’s way of dealing with surrendered soldiers.

And from his sermons- may God bless his soul- as he approached the walls of Buraydah, he said: “We are attacking the country, so beware not to harm those who do not oppose you or offend them in anyway. And as for the houses, don’t you dare get near them or touch the women. And if you do so, then I shall be your rival and killer.” May God have mercy on him. He has been such a great leader.