Diriyah expedition to Riyadh

Diriyah expedition to Riyadh
Date 1746–1773 Location Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Result Saudi victory Territorial changes Expansion of the First Saudi State
Belligerents
First Saudi State	Tribes of Riyadh
Commanders and leaders
Muhammad bin Saud Al Muqrin Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Saud	Daham bin Dewas
Strength
Unknown	Unknown
Casualties and losses
1600	2400

The Diriyah expedition to Riyadh, was a campaign waged by the Emirate of Diriyah against the tribes of Riyadh for an expansion; it lasted more than 28 years.

Background

Uyayna, Manfuha, and Huraymila settlements voluntarily joined the Saudi government, later joined by Dhurma and Shaqra. The relationship between Riyadh and Diriyah before the establishment of the Saudi state was good and normal. Daham bin Dawas had a friendship and loyalty to Muhammad bin Saud due to his previous favor. However, the situation changed after Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab moved to Diriyah. Sources indicate that when he saw the expansion of the state and the spread of Ibn Abdul Wahhab's call, he took a negative stance. He began to persecute those who followed the call from the people of Riyadh. The main reason for the Saudi state's desire to break Daham's influence was his attack on some countries that joined the state, such as Manfuha.

Battle

During the reign of Imam Muhammad bin Saud and his son Abdulaziz, the Saudi state engaged in approximately thirty-five raids against Daham bin Dawas in Riyadh, spanning 28 years, during which about four thousand from both sides were killed. The end of these battles was in the year 1773, when Daham fled after the "Hudaym al-Marqab incident". Imam Abdulaziz bin Muhammad entered Riyadh, and his leadership was entrusted to Prince Abdullah bin Muqrin bin Muhammad bin Muqrin.