Draft:Qarmatians-Uyunid war

This page is about Abdullah bin Ali Al Uyuni. For other uses, see Overthrow of the Qarmatians.

The "Uyuni-Qarmatian Conflict" is a long-lasting struggle between the Uyunid state, which ruled the regions of Al-Ahsa and Al-Qatif in eastern Arabia, and the Qarmatian movement, which was a religious, political, and military force that had a significant impact on the region during the 3rd and 4th centuries of the Islamic calendar (9th and 10th centuries AD). This conflict was part of broader struggles in the Arab world, where local and regional powers competed for control over trade routes and natural resources, in addition to ideological and political conflicts.

A historical background.

The Qarmatian movement emerged in the late 3rd century AH as an Ismaili Shia movement, quickly transforming into a formidable military and political force. The Qarmatians controlled vast areas of eastern Arabia, including Al-Ahsa and Al-Qatif, and established an independent Qarmatian state. Their state had a strong administrative system and an organized army, making them a power difficult to challenge. In contrast, the uyuni state appeared in the 4th century AH as a local force seeking to end Qarmatian influence and restore peace in the region. The Uyunis were part of a tribal alliance aiming to regain control of eastern Arabia from the Qarmatians, who were seen as a threat to stability due to their repeated raids on cities and trade caravans.

Causes of conflict

1. Control of trade routes: The Al-Shabaab and Qatif region was an important trading hub linking the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula, making it a strategic target for local forces.
2. Religious differences: The Qarmatians doctrine differed from the prevailing Islamic doctrines, leading to tensions with local and regional powers. The Cretaceous were considered out of the ordinary because of their religious and political practices.
3. Political ambitions: The Aegypti State sought to unite the region under its rule and end the chaos caused by the Crimson Wars.
4. The desire for stability: The frequent Qatari raids on cities and trade convoys caused economic and social unrest, prompting the Ionians to work to end this threat.

Main Battles

7. The Second Battle of Al-Aqsa (355 H / 965 M)

This battle was the first major confrontation between the Uyunis and the Qarmatians. It began when the Uyunis, led by their first leader, attempted to regain control of Al-Ahsa from the Qarmatians, who had held the region for years. Al-Ahsa was a strategic center for the spice and date trade, making it an important target. The Qarmatians, led by their leader Abu Tahir al-Janabi, employed guerrilla tactics and swift attacks, which confused the Uyuni forces. The battle ended with a decisive victory for the Qarmatians, who managed to maintain their control over Al-Ahsa and strengthen their influence in the region.

2. The First Battle of Al-Qatif (320 AH / 932 AD)

After their defeat in Al-Ahsa, the Uyunids attempted to regain control of Qatif, which was an important trade port. The Qarmatians, who possessed a strong naval fleet, cut off the Uyunids' supply routes. They also employed psychological warfare tactics, such as spreading fear among the Uyunid ranks through sudden nighttime attacks. The battle ended with the Uyunids' defeat, forcing them to temporarily retreat from their attempts to reclaim the region.

3. The Battle of Goatha (330 H 941 M)

This battle was a turning point in the conflict. The Uyunids, led by their new leader, gathered a larger force from allied local tribes. They employed an encirclement strategy, trapping the Qarmatian forces in Jawatha. The Uyunids successfully cut off the Qarmatians' supply lines, forcing them to retreat. This victory marked the first major triumph for the Uyunids, restoring hope in the possibility of defeating the Qarmatians.

4. The Battle of the Narrows.

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This battle was decisive in the conflict. The Uyunids, led by their commander Abdullah bin Ali Al-Uyuni, attacked Al-Uqair, which was an important stronghold of the Qarmatians. The Uyunids utilized a small naval fleet to assault the port from the sea, while ground forces launched an attack from the east. They successfully destroyed the Qarmatian forces in Al-Uqair, leading to a significant decline in Qarmatian influence in the region. This battle marked the beginning of the end for the Qarmatian state.

5. The Battle of Bahrain (345 H / 956 M)

After their victory at Al-Aqeer, the Ayunis continued their advance towards Bahrain, where the remaining Qarmatian forces were attempting to reorganize. The Ayunis attacked Bahrain from both land and sea. The Ayunis were able to defeat the Qarmatians swiftly, leading to their final retreat from Bahrain. This battle was an important step towards ending the Qarmatian presence in the region.

6. The Second Battle of Qatif (350 H / 961 M)

The Qarmatians attempted to regain control of Qatif, which was a strategic port. The Uyunids, led by Abdullah bin Ali Al-Uyuni, resisted the Qarmatian attack using strong defensive strategies. The Uyunids successfully repelled the Qarmatian assault, inflicting heavy losses on them. This battle dealt a severe blow to the Qarmatians, who lost hope of reclaiming their influence in the region.

7. The Second Battle of Al-Ahsa (355 AH / 965 AD)ِ

This battle was the Qarmatians' last major attempt to regain control of Al-Ahsa. The Uyunids, led by their new leader, launched an attack on the Qarmatian forces with a large army supported by local tribes. The Uyunids achieved a decisive victory, leading to the final collapse of the Qarmatian state. This battle marked the end of the Uyunid-Qarmatian conflict.

8. The Battle of Hagar (360 H-970 M)

This battle served as the final cleansing of the last Qarmatian strongholds in Al-Ahsa. The Uyunids attacked Hajar, the last city under Qarmatian control. They successfully defeated the Qarmatians once and for all, leading to the complete demise of their state.

9. The third battle of Qatateh.

This battle was the final confrontation of the conflict. The weakened Qarmatians attempted to regain control of Qatif but failed to withstand the powerful Uyunid forces. The Uyunids secured a swift and decisive victory, bringing the Uyunid-Qarmatian conflict to a definitive end.

Conflict results

The conflict ended with the victory of the Uyuni state, leading to the collapse of the Qarmatian state in eastern Arabia. This victory contributed to the stability of the region and its reunification under the rule of the Uyunis, who governed the area for several centuries afterward. The Uyuni victory also boosted trade and the economy in the region, as Qarmatian raids on trade caravans came to an end.

Cultural and religious influences

The conflict had significant effects on the culture and religion in the region. The collapse of the Qarmatian state led to a decline in the religious ideas promoted by the Qarmatian movement, allowing the dominant Islamic sects to spread more widely in eastern Arabia. The stability of the region also contributed to the flourishing of sciences and arts, as Al-Ahsa and Al-Qatif became important cultural centers.

Sources

1. The book "The History of the Crime" by Ahmed bin Yahya al-Blatari.
2. The book "The State of Ayyan in the East of the Arabian Peninsula" by Muhammad bin Abdullah Ayyan.
3. The article "Qamarat: history and belief" in the Encyclopedia of Islamic History.
4. Article "Conflict in the East of the Arabian Peninsula" in the Arabic Wikipedia.
5. The book "History of the Eastern Arabian Peninsula: From the Crime to the Ionians" by Ali bin Ibrahim al-Husseini.
6. An article "Battle of the Eastern Arabian Peninsula in the Islamic Age" in the magazine Arab History.