Battle of Mesaimeer
The Battle of Mesaimeer was a significant military engagement in the Persian Gulf region, taking place from June 2-4, 1851, near the village of Mesaimeer in Qatar. Faisal bin Turki, having consolidated his power in central Arabia, sought to extend his influence to the Gulf coast, with the ultimate aim of controlling Bahrain and its lucrative pearl fisheries. His strategy involved using Qatar as a stepping stone for this expansion. This campaign, which began in May 1851, marked his third attempt at invading the island.
Opposing Faisal were the local Qatari tribes led by Mohammed bin Thani and his son Jassim bin Mohammed, progenitors of the future ruling family of Qatar. Although nominally allied with Bahrain, which was represented by the forces of Ali bin Khalifa, the Qatari forces acted largely independently during the battle. The engagement unfolded in three phases. On 2 June, initial clashes resulted in unexpected setbacks for Faisal's forces near Al Bidda (modern Doha). The next day, 3 June, witnessed intense fighting, with Qatari forces under Jassim bin Muhammad launching a determined close-quarters assault on Faisal's forces near Al Bidda. Finally, on 4 June, further engagements occurred, culminating in the retreat of Faisal's forces to their camp at Mesaimeer.
British sources, notably dispatches from political resident Samuel Hennell, confirm the defeat of Wahhabi forces on June 2 and 4. Shortly after the final day of battle, Mohammed bin Thani sent a letter to Faisal's camp requesting peace and agreeing to be his subject, to which Faisal obliged. On 8 June, Qatari forces assumed control of Burj Al-Maah, a watchtower guarding Doha's main water source, close to Al Bidda Fort where the forces of Ali bin Khalifa were stationed. Upon hearing the news, Ali bin Khalifa fled to Bahrain without incident, much to the dismay of Faisal who admonished Mohammed bin Thani for not capturing him.
Following British interference on the side of Bahrain in order to prevent the Ottoman Empire from gaining a stronghold in the Peninsula and the loss of his ally Mubarak in a major naval engagement near Qatif, Faisal was forced to reassess of his strategy. Relinquishing his designs upon Bahrain, Faisal made a conciliatory overture on 20 July, 1851, proposing to dispatch his two brothers and son to parley with Ali bin Khalifa aboard his ship. This proposal, however, met with unequivocal rejection from Ali bin Khalifa.
Due to the mediation efforts of Saeed bin Tahnun Al Nahyan, an agreement between Ali bin Khalifa and Faisal was reached on 25 July. The resultant accord stipulated that Ali would remit 4,000 German krones annually as zakat to Faisal, while the latter agreed to restore Al Bidda Fort to Ali bin Khalifa and to abstain from interference in Qatari affairs.
