Battle of Sabilla

Battle of Sabilla
Part of the Ikhwan revolt
Date29–31 March 1929
Location
Sabilla
Result Saudi victory
Belligerents
 Ikhwan  Hejaz and Nejd
Commanders and leaders
Sultan bin Bajad
Faisal al-Duwaish (WIA)
Abdulaziz al-Saud
Strength
Between 8,000–10,000 30,000
Casualties and losses
Between 500–1,000 200

The Battle of Sabilla (29–31 March 1929) was the main battle of the Ikhwan revolt in northern Arabia between the rebellious Ikhwan forces and the army of Abdulaziz al-Saud. It was the last tribal uprising in Arabia. It was also the last major battle in which one side rode camels, as the Ikhwan emphasized radical conservatism and shunned technological modernization.

The rebellious, but technologically mediocre, Ikhwan were decisively defeated by the Saudi forces, which had machine-guns and cavalry. The battle occurred in Sabilla, located twenty miles east of Al-Zulfi. The Saudi forces were also supported by the British Royal Air Force which bombed the Ikhwan forces near Jordan and Kuwait. It would be one of the last major battles in Arabia utilizing camel riders.