Misplaced Pages

Battle of Dhank
Date October 1870 Location Dhank, Oman Result Turki bin Said's victory
Belligerents
Sultan of Muscat forces Support: Emirate of Dubai Emirate of Ajman Ras Al Khaimah Tribal support: Na'im and Bani Qitab	Imam of Oman Support: Emirate of Abu Dhabi Emirate of Sharjah
Commanders and leaders
Turki bin Said Hasher bin Maktoum Rashid bin Humaid	Azzan bin Qais Zayed bin Khalifa Salim bin Sultan

The Battle of Dhank took place in October 1870, ranging forces in support of the Omani Imam Azzan bin Qais against Turki bin Said, Sultan of Muscat. The battle was won by Turki bin Said backed by forces from Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah as well as mounted fighters from the Na'im and Bani Qitab tribes.

Background

Azzan bin Qais was the Imam of Oman between 1868 and 1870, having deposed Sayyid Salim bin Thuwaini. Azzan opposed the Saudi interference in the Buraimi Oasis and took control of Buraimi in 1869. Zayed bin Khalifa of Abu Dhabi (known as Zayed the Great) supported Azzan bin Qais, who paid Abu Dhabi a stipend for its defence of Buraimi, but the Sultan of Muscat, Turki bin Said, canvassed support for his cause from other Trucial Rulers. In early 1870 Turki visited Dubai with that goal in mind but, tempted though the other Trucial Sheikhs were to support Turki against Abu Dhabi's powerful leader, Zayed, and the Imam Azzan bin Qais, their support wasn’t ardent enough to back feet on the ground.

Although Azzan bin Qais saw the Ghafiri northern emirates as being Wahhabi in nature and therefore supportive of his enemies the Saudis, Sharjah actually joined the alliance between him and Abu Dhabi against Muscat’s Turki bin Said. In October 1870, Turki bin Said took his forces to the field in the Battle of Dhank supported by men from Dubai, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah, as well as riders from the Na’im and Bani Qitab tribes, many of the Na'im at the time being settled at Dhank. The support of the Na'im was unusual in that they had traditionally been dependent on Zayed the Great - and remained so until his death in 1909.

Outcome

Winning the battle, Turki cemented his ascendancy over Muscat and Oman. The Imam Azzan bin Qais, was eventually killed in battle at Muttrah in January 1871.

The settlement of the rule over the Sultanate of Oman did nothing to lessen the jostling of the tribes around Buraimi and Zayed bin Khalifa’s ambitions to hold the fertile oasis only grew with time. This culminated in January 1875 in a further attack by Zayed against the Na’im town of Dhank and the area south of the town, the Dhahirah, by a mounted force of 200 Manasir and Bani Hajir Bedouins. At the same time, Zayed sent a force of Manasir and Mazari against Buraimi, an act which led to the Bani Qitab applying to Dubai for assistance and a force of riders being sent from Dubai to Buraimi. This resulted in a standoff and Zayed suspended his operations against the oasis.

See also

• History of Oman
• History of the United Arab Emirates

References

1. Āl Maktūm, Muḥammad ibn Rāshid (2012). Spirit of the union : lecture on the occasion of the United Arab Emirates' fortieth national day. Dubai (United Arab Emirates). Media Office. Dubai, UAE. p. 34. ISBN 9781860633300. OCLC 957655419.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
2. ^ Lorimer, John (1915). Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. British Government, Bombay. p. 729.
3. Heard-Bey, Frauke (2005). From Trucial States to United Arab Emirates : a society in transition. London: Motivate. p. 60. ISBN 1-86063-167-3. OCLC 64689681.
4. Hawley, Donald (1970). The Trucial States. London: Allen & Unwin. p. 187. ISBN 0-04-953005-4. OCLC 152680.

v t e Oman articles
History	Archaeology Magan Incense trade route Tribes of Arabia Imamate of Oman Omani Empire Muscat and Oman Battle of Dhank Jebel Akhdar War Dhofar Rebellion Battle of Mirbat 1970 coup d'état 2011 protests (Arab Spring) 2018–2019 unemployment protests
Geography	Borders Cities Eco-regions Geology Governorates Provinces Rivers Rub' al Khali (desert) World heritage sites Wildlife
Politics	Foreign relations Human rights LGBT Law enforcement Military Visa policy Government Sultan Crown Prince Cabinet Council Council of State (upper house) Consultative Assembly (lower house)
Economy	Agriculture Central bank Companies Petroleum Rial (currency) Telecommunications Tourism Transport airports
Society	Anthem Cinema Crime Cuisine Culture regional Demographics Education Emblem Flag Healthcare International rankings Language Music People Public holidays Religion Sport Traditional games Women
Outline Index Category Portal

v t e Arab tribes in the United Arab Emirates
These prefixes ignored in the alphabetical ordering: Al, Al-Bu, Albu, Banu, Bani
Tribal coalition	Al Ali Awamir Al-Balushi Dahaminah Dhawahir Daramikah Duru Ghafalah Habus Bani Kaab Kunud Manasir Al Bu Muhair Al Marar Maraziq Na'im Al Bu Kharaiban Khawatir Al Bu Shamis Naqbiyin Al Qawasim Bani Qitab Rashid Sharqiyin Shihuh Bani Hadiyah Bani Shatair Sudan Tunaij Bani Yas Al Bu Hamir Al Bu Falasah Marar Mazari Zaab
Part of Arab tribes

• 19th century in Oman
• History of Abu Dhabi
• Conflicts in 1870
• 1870 in Asia