When news of Dhidan bin Hithlain's death reached the Ikhwan, the rebellion which the battle of Sibilla seemed to have ended, revived. Although Ibn Saud had not been in any way directly responsible for the death of Dhidan bin Hithlain, Fahad (who was the son of the King's cousin) had at the time been acting in Ibn Saud's interest.
The Ajman, outraged at the death of their leader, declared open rebellion. The Utaibah tribesmen, although bereft of their chief, Sultan bin Bijad bin Humaid (who languished in a Riyadh jail), joined the revolt against Ibn Saud's authority.