Destruction of Diriyah | |||||||
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Part of the Ottoman–Saudi War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Ottoman Empire | First Saudi State | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Ibrahim Pasha | Abdullah bin Saud | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
30,000 men, 30 artillery pieces |
5,000 men | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Unknown | Unknown, but large number of civilians and soldiers killed and wounded Destruction of Diriyah. |
The Destruction of Diriyah took place in late 1818 at the end of the Ottoman–Saudi War of 1811–18 during the Nejd Expedition. When the forces of Ibrahim Pasha had reached Diriyah, Abdullah I tried to defend his capital with a weak army. After a siege of several months Abdullah surrendered to the Ottomans on September 9. Abdullah was made prisoner and with his treasurer and secretary was taken to Cairo. Later Abdullah was sent to Istanbul, where, in spite of Ibrahim's promise of safety and of Mohammad Ali's intercession in his favor, he was put to death. At the close of the year 1819 Ibrahim returned to Cairo, having subdued all opposition in the Arabian Peninsula, ending the Ottoman–Saudi War, and starting his duty with the Ottomans against the Greek Revolt.