Unmoved by the outcome of the "Big Gathering" at which the assembled dignitaries from all over the Nejd had reaffirmed their support for Ibn Saud, Sultan bin Bijad bin Humaid (Ibn Bijad), headed north in the company of some 3,000 raiders. But, on reaching the Iraqi border, he learned that the British had prepared for his arrival and would meet his advance with attack from the air and strong resistance on the ground.
Realizing that his men would be no match for the well-equipped British, but unwilling to forego the chance of booty, Ibn Bijad turned his force south, into al-Hasa, where he and his men fell upon the scattered settlements of Nejd tribes and upon a large caravan owned by Ibn Sharida, a wealthy merchant who was travelling from Buraidah to Damascus.
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