While the Turkish garrison pondered their predicament, the citizenry of Hofuf welcomed the Arab champion from the Nejd.
Ibn Saud offered the Turkish commander a generous but nonetheless stark choice. He must either surrender, with the promise of safe conduct and a dignified departure from the shores of Arabia, or Ibn Saud would blow up the Kut and those in it. The Turkish commander pondered the alternatives until midday and then surrendered.
Once again, Ibn Saud had shown that a combination of determination and audacity could overcome seemingly superior forces. Just as he had retaken the capital of Nejd, he now reasserted the authority of the Al Saud over al-Hasa.
Ibn Saud appointed Abdullah bin Jelawi, who had distinguished himself some eleven years before in the retaking of Riyadh, as Governor of Hofuf. With the addition of al-Hasa to his domain, Ibn Saud now held part of the Arabian coast.
No-one knew at the time, but he had just acquired about a quarter of the world's oil resources. Never before or since has such a valuable, global resource changed hands with so little acrimony.
